VIJAYAWADA: Under the influence of a low pressure area formed in the Bay of Bengal, heavy rains lashed Krishna, West Godavari, East Godavari, Guntur, Kurnool, Chittoor, Prakasam and Nellore districts on Thursday. Light to moderate rains occurred in other parts of the State. Heavy rains are likely to continue in some parts of coastal districts on Friday and incessant drizzle in Rayalaseema. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea till Saturday as surface winds with a velocity of 50-60 kmph are likely to hit the coast. People of low-lying areas across the State have been alerted.
Taking stock of the rain situation in the State and forecast of heavy rains in the next two days, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy directed District Collectors to ensure that people are not subjected to any inconvenience. Reviewing the rain situation in the State with Special Chief Secretary (MAUD) Y Srilakshmi, Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development Botcha Satyanarayana directed all municipal commissioners to be on high alert. He asked them to initiate measures for proper sanitation and see that there is no scope for outbreak of water-borne seasonal diseases. The minister directed them to set up relief camps and shift the people from low-lying areas if needed.
Srilakshmi directed the civic chiefs to submit the plan of action in the wake of rains by Friday and asked them to personally inspect sanitation works, identify vulnerable areas, where old and dilapidated buildings are located, and evacuate people from the places. Further, she asked them to take up chlorination of all drinking water sources. In Kurnool, officials have been directed to set up relief camps and if needed shift the people from low-lying areas. Police have been asked to ensure that people do not cross the bridges where rivers and streams are overflowing.
Speaking to mediapersons, Minister for Agriculture K Kannababu said the State has received surplus rainfall during the current monsoon and Rayalaseema districts have recorded excess rainfall. Agricultural crops in 55 mandals of the State were submerged due to incessant rains. Officials will enumerate the crop loss once the rains subside, he said, and assured that the government will respond immediately in case of any loss to farmers.
With incessant drizzle in Vijayawada, Guntur, Rajamahendravaram, Tirupati and other places in the State, main thoroughfares resembled streams. With umbrellas out, streets wore a colourful look. In low-lying areas, people are facing severe hardship due to inundation. Allagadda in Kurnool district received heavy rains on Wednesday and scattered rainfall on Thursday. Several water bodies in the district are now brimming with water.
In view of increasing inflows from upstream following heavy rains, the water resources department is on high alert and closely monitoring the flood situation. In the 24 hours ending 8:30 am Thursday, Amalapuram in East Godavari received the highest rainfall of 11 cm, followed by Palakoderu, Tadepalligudem and Bhimavaram in West Godavari with 9 cm. Vijayawada, Nuzvid, Paleru, Kaikaluru, Nandigama, Koida and Allagadda recorded 8 cm rain. Several other places got rainfall ranging from 1 to 7 cm.
YOUTH DROWNS
A youth drowned in Godavari river at Gammon bridge point on Thursday. Three town police said the deceased, identified as Kandikatla Pradeep, 18, went to the river along with his friends for swimming. His body was retrieved from the river
and sent for postmortem.
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