NELLORE/TIRUPATI/KADAPA/VIJAYAWADA: A well-marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal has unleashed torrential rainfall across southern Andhra Pradesh, severely impacting Nellore, Tirupati, Chittoor, Kadapa and Annamayya districts for three consecutive days.
The low-pressure system, now moving northwest toward the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry-Andhra coast, has intensified monsoon activity, prompting emergency responses and disrupting normal life.
As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD) data, by Wednesday evening, Marrappadu (Nellore) received 89.2 mm rainfall, Mogilicherla (Nellore) 79 mm, Bhavadevarapalli (Krishna) 75 mm, Umareddypalle (Prakasam) 62.2 mm, and Duggirala (Guntur) 61.5 mm.
The IMD has forecast very heavy rainfall in Prakasam, Nellore, Chittoor, and Tirupati on Thursday, with statewide showers and thunderstorms expected over the next five days. Gale-force winds of 35–55 km/h are lashing coastal areas, prompting advisories for fishermen to remain ashore until Saturday.
Tirupati witnessed its heaviest rainfall in three months, flooding roads and uprooting trees. A fallen tree on Sri Venkateswara University Road blocked traffic, while eastern neighbourhoods like Leela Mahal Circle, Govind Dham Circle, and Korlagunta were inundated.
Swarnamukhi overflowed into adjacent villages such as Ragigunta and Bramhanapalle, displacing residents.
Crop damage is extensive, with paddy and groundnut fields submerged in KVB Puram, Srikalahasti, Yerpedu and Satyavedu mandals.
However, waterfalls like Kapila Theertham and Malwadi Gundam are flowing robustly, and the Seshachalam forest appears lush and vibrant.
Evacuate people from unsafe areas: HM to officials
Tirupati District Collector S Venkateswar highlighted preemptive measures taken in July and August, including strengthening irrigation tank bunds, repairing cyclone shelters, and installing barricades at vulnerable spots.
Nellore city and surrounding areas like Kandukur and Kavali are grappling with waterlogging and traffic disruptions. Overflowing canals have flooded low-lying areas. Municipal Commissioner M Hari Prasad has deployed staff in three shifts across 10 divisions for drainage management.
Barriers were removed at key junctions to facilitate water flow, and diversions at underpasses have mitigated flooding in the eastern and western parts of the city. Emergency helplines (0861-2331261 and 7995576699) are active.
In Kadapa, rivers like Kundu, Penna, and Papaghni are swelling. Police have been stationed near water bodies, and a stranded APSRTC bus near a damaged culvert in Siddavatam mandal was rescued using a JCB.
Annamayya district towns like Rajampet and Rayachoti have seen moderate to heavy rains, raising water level in the Pincha project. Cheyyeru adjacent residents are being urged to evacuate, and damaged drinking water lines in Seshambampalle have added to the woes. The Pullampeta stream in Obulavaripalle mandal has also overflowed, cutting off access to some forest areas.
Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha, reviewing the situation via a video conference, warned of extreme rainfall in Bapatla, Nellore, Prakasam and Rayalaseema. She directed officials to maintain field readiness, evacuate people from unsafe buildings, and ensure inter-departmental coordination. One NDRF team has been deployed in Nellore, and four SDRF units in Prakasam, Kadapa, and Tirupati. Helplines 112, 1070 & 1800-425-0101 are operational.
