Heavy rains lash Khammam, Kothagudem districts

KHAMMAM:  Heavy rains lashed Khammam and Kothagudem districts, including Kamepalli, Mudigonda, Tallada, Wyra, Chintakani, Konigerla, Bonakal, Madhira, Raghunathapalem and Kusumanchi mandals.
Downpour continued for eight hours without any interval due to Cyclone Gulab.

All streams are overflowing with water, filling up various tanks to the brim. Sluices of these tanks have been opened to release water downstream.

Mandals like Kamepalli, Mudigonda, Tallada, Kusumanchi Wyra and Raghunathapalem received more than 110 mm of rainfall during last 10 hours. All medium irrigation projects in Khammam and Kothagudem districts, such as Palair, Lankasagar, Wyra and Kinnerasani have reached their full reservoir levels.

N. Appa Rao, a farmer from Nagulavancha in Chintakani mandal, said rains commenced at 2:30 a.m. on Monday and continued till 12 noon. “After a small gap, rainfall has started again. Traffic has been interrupted between Bonakal and Khammam at Nagulavancha, with water overflowing from Mamillacheruvu and Redcheruvu. Vehicles coming from Vijayawada and Khammam are stranded on both sides,” Appa Rao stated.

All drains in Khammam and Kothagudem towns are overflowing. Officials have warned people against venturing out during rains. Collector V.P. Gautham has asked officials to identify tanks that may breach and shift people of low-lying areas to safe places.

Officials say rains will continue for another 48 hours. Special call centres have been opened in the Khammam and Kothagudem collectorates.

Cotton crops have been badly hit due to heavy rains and submergence of fields.