VIJAYAWADA/VISAKHAPATNAM: With Southwest monsoon being vigorous over Rayalaseema and active over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, heavy to moderate rainfall was witnessed across the State at many places on Tuesday. Widespread rain has brought life to a grinding halt particularly in Rayalaseema with Duvvur in Kadapa recording the highest rainfall of 23 cm in the last 24 hours. Kadapa bore the brunt of the rain with several places recording more than 10 cm rainfall in the district.
Since Monday evening, incessant rain continued to lash across several parts of Andhra Pradesh, particularly Kadapa, Kurnool, Prakasam, Krishna, Guntur, West Godavari and other districts. According to the Cyclone Warning Centre at Visakhapatnam, an upper air cyclonic circulation persists over west central Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of north Coastal Andhra Pradesh. Coupled with active monsoon, it resulted in rains. “We can expect heavy to very heavy rainfall in Rayalaseema region as well as heavy rain in the Coastal Andhra Pradesh till September 1 morning,” the Met officials said.
Heavy rain lashed Palnadu area of Guntur district throwing normal life out of gear. Vehicular traffic on the Addanki-Narketpalli state highway was interrupted due to water overflowing on the road at different places and forced the police to divert traffic. In Achempeta mandal, an APSRTC bus proceeding to Madipadu from Sattenapalli got stranded in the water for a while but was towed away using an earthmover and saved the lives of around 25 passengers.
With heavy inflows into the Pulichintala project, the district officials have been put on alert and asked to monitor the situation to prevent residents of nearby villages from entering the project area.
Meanwhile, the rains lashing various parts of the district have come as a respite to the farmers for their standing crops. However, crops got damaged after flood water entered into the agricultural fields in Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam districts. A control room has also been arranged at Prakasam district collectorate to monitor relief activities.
In Kadapa district, heavy rains also lashed Pulivendula, Produttur, Mydukur and Duvvuru mandals. Rain water flooded the villages of Yekopalle, Kanguduru, Jonnavaram and Neelapuram villages. Around 20 cattle-rearers had a narrow escape on Tuesday, when they were stranded in Penna River between Kazipet and Kokkirayapalem villages. The river has been in spate ever since heavy rains started early Tuesday. A special rescue team led by superintendent of police PHD Ramakrishna rescued them, while Kadapa RDO S Chinna Ramudu rescued 11 cattle rearers of Kokkirayapalem village stranded on the sand reaches in the Penna River.