GUNTUR: Heavy rains that lashed the Palnadu area have thrown the life out of gear for the last two days. Though all most all mandals in the district witnessed moderate rains, the Palnadu area recorded heavy rainfall. Tanks are brimming and streams are swollen. The skies remained cloudy and there was drizzle throughout the day on Tuesday. Vehicular traffic on the Addanki - Narketpalli state highway was affected due to the flood water and the authorities diverted the traffic. In Achempeta mandal, an APSRTC bus proceeding Maddipadu from Sattenapalli remained stuck in the flood water for some time.
However, the locals towed the bus to safety with the help of an earth mover. Meanwhile, with Pulichintala project receiving heavy inflow, the officials were put on alert. According to the officials, the district witnessed a rainfall of 177.01 mm in August as against the monthly average rainfall of 149.02 mm. Mandals like Sattenapalli, Nakirakallu recorded a rainfall of 9 cm, while Macherla recorded 7 cm and other mandals including Piduguralla, Muppalla, Machavaram and Rajupalem received 5 cm rainfall. The rains proved to be a respite for the farmers, who were distressed due to a dry spell.