Rains Revive over AP, to Continue till September 7

Anantapur/Kurnool: Providing relief, southwest monsoon has picked up momentum and is vigorous over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema.

During last 24 hours, rains battered 20 places in Rayalaseema with average rainfall of 8 cm and 10 locations in coastal AP, which received 7 cm of rainfall.

Andhra Pradesh witnessed a deficit rainfall of 54 per cent in August. The deficit in September so far is 10 per cent in coastal Andhra and 30 per cent in Rayalaseema.

IMD, Amaravati, has attributed the rains to impending low pressure area over northwest Bay of Bengal, which is likely to be formed by September 5. As per the report, there is a cyclonic circulation is over northeast Bay of Bengal. Another cyclonic circulation is over west-central Bay of Bengal near the Andhra Pradesh coast at around 5.8 km above mean sea level. These weather systems are causing the present rainfall in Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra Pradesh.

The low pressure system will move in western direction, causing moderate to heavy rain over northern districts of AP. There are chances of flash floods and water logging in many districts of north Andhra and Rayalaseema. The low pressure will also bring heavy rain to north and south coastal Andhra Pradesh till September 7.

During last 24 hours, Kondapuram (YSR district) received 16 cm of rainfall, followed by Koilkuntla (Nandyal) 15, Puttur (Tirupati) 11, Atchampet (Palnadu) 10, Chimakurthi (Prakasam) 9.2, Macherla (Palnadu) 8.12, Kandukur 8 and Seetharamapuram 7.7 (both Nellore), Darsi (Prakasam) 7.7 and Jangamaheswarapuram (Palnadu) 7.7 cm.

Nandyal district experienced heavy rainfall since Saturday under the influence of a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal.

Koilakuntla mandal recorded the highest amount at 17.5cm, followed by Sanjamala with 15.7cm, Allagadda with 12cm, and Dornipadu with 10cm by 8:30am. Apart from Kurnool, another region in the district also received moderate rainfall.

The region was grappling with scorching heat for the past 10-15 days. The temperatures hovered around 36-37 degree Celsius. The heat wave caused discomfort to the local population.

The heavy rain through Saturday night and Sunday morning came as a major relief. Several mandals in Nandyal also had substantial rainfall. Allagadda received 12cm, Chagalamarri 10.2cm, Uyyalawada 9.3cm, and Rudravaram 8.5cm of rain.

Floodwaters continued to inundate the roads. Pedestrians and vehicles faced problems in Koilakuntla, Allagadda, Nandyal town and several other areas. Traffic was disrupted in many areas.

District collector Manazir Jeelani Samoon said the administration was closely monitoring the developments. He convened a tele-conference with officials to assess the conditions. He asked them to halt transportation in the flooded areas and accord priority to safety of the residents.

Ahobilam in Nandyal received 12cm of rain. The copious flows at the Bhavanasini waterfall attracted more visitors to the area  renowned for its medicinal plants. Locals believe the water from the waterfall has medicinal properties and can cure various ailments.

Several mandals in Kurnool district also experienced light to moderate rainfall in the early hours of Sunday.

A major mishap was averted as the Jammalamadugu police rescued passengers of an APSRTC bus that got stuck in the overflowing Isukavagu irrigation canal in rain-hit Kadapa district.

Thirteen passengers were rescued by the police in Kadapa district when the bus got stuck in over flowing canal on Saturday. A sudden downpour in the rain-deficit Rayalaseema region came after the mercury rose to a high of 40 degrees in August.

The APSRTC bus from Kurnool to Proddatur in Kadapa district got stuck in the overflowing Isukavagu at S Uppalapadu in the urban limits of Jammalamadugu. The passengers alerted the police over phone and a rescue operation helped the passengers to come out of the bus and the canal.

Circle inspector Sadashivaiah and his team organised the rescue operation. The passengers were rescued by using ropes.

Kondaupuram mandal received 159.2mm rain while Chennur received 128.6mm followed by B Matam with 102.2mm and Vempalle with 90.6mm on Sunday morning. The district’s normal rainfall was 293.5mm this season but received 245.3mm.

Sagileru Vagu received heavy inflows from the upstream areas. The irrigation department lifted one crest gate to release water towards Kamalakur dam in Atlur mandal. About 400 cusecs of floodwaters was recorded and Kamalakur dam was likely to overflow due to constant flows from Sagileru, officials said.

Meanwhile, police rescued two youths at Kondapeta in Giddalur mandal in Prakasam district after they were washed away in the overflowing canal when their motorcycle fell in the flowing waters. Heavy rains in the Nallamala forest area led to floods in Uppuvagu near Kondapeta. Two youths dared to cross the channel and fell. Police rescued the duo while they were stuck in a bush in the canal.

The district administration in Rayalaseema has been alerted over possible heavy rains for five more days.