News in Frames: A village with no people

In just a decade, a village in Andhra Pradesh has become devoid of its inhabitants. Gattumeedapalle, situated around 125 km from Tirupati, is now a deserted settlement. The village, sprawling over nearly 1,000 acres, was once a thriving entity with nearly 300 acres devoted to groundnut cultivation. However, the erratic weather patterns and dwindling groundwater levels compelled the residents to abandon their homes.

For a brief period, the survivors depended on a solitary borewell for their water needs, but eventually, they too packed up and left. Thimmakkagari Subbi Reddy, a former farmer, now serves as a shepherd to make a living. He conveys that he has given up on the village and has no intention of returning. Numerous other villagers have followed suit, seeking new sources of livelihood.

The departure began in 2015 when some families relocated to Kosuvaripalle or migrated to the nearby Madanapalle town. Initially, a few families remained, hoping to make the best of the situation. However, with no respite in sight, they too began to leave in search of alternative livelihoods. As the village emptied, panic gripped the remaining inhabitants, and eventually, everyone decided to move on.

Many of the houses were deserted, but their furniture and electronic items remained behind. The theft of valuables escalated when news of the deserted village spread. Even the temple bell was not spared. Subbi Reddy, who owns land in Gattumeedapalle, recalls the temple bell's absence, reflecting on the desolation of the village.

The village telephone tower stands as the sole sentinel amidst the deserted landscape, devoid of any other tangible reminders of the village's past glory.