Cyclone Fengal Triggers Unrelenting Rains, Disrupts Life in South AP

 Tirupati: Even after making its landfall, Cyclone Fengal has continued to unleash torrential rainfall across Nellore and Tirupati districts, causing significant disruption. Heavy rains have crippled agricultural activities, damaged transportation networks and disrupted daily life in both urban and rural areas.

The cyclone has been particularly devastating for farmers. Irrigation channels, which are crucial for paddy cultivation, are under water, raising alarm among farmers about possible crop losses. Tobacco farmers in upland mandals of Nellore district are deeply concerned, as heavy rains have come when their crop is in the sensitive "relupu" stage. Excess water in black soil areas, where tobacco seedlings have been planted recently, can loosen the soil, which could lead to poor quality leaves.

In Kandukur, green gram farmers face a precarious situation as the crop is in flowering and pod stages. While some crops may recover with new flowers and pods, additional heavy rains can wipe out farmers’ investments.

Over the last 24 hours, Nellore district received an average rainfall of 43.5 mm. Manubolu mandal recorded the highest rainfall of 15 cm, followed by Indukurpeta 11 cm and Rapur 9 cm. Other mandals, such as Kodavalur, Podalakuru and Nellore Rural received around 8 cm each of rainfall. Muthukur, Buchireddypalem, Sydapuram and Allur reported 7 cm.

In Tirupati district, the average rainfall has been 11 cm. Narayanavanam topped the list with 18 cm, followed by Puttur at 17 cm. Regions like KVB Puram and Vadamalapet received 15 cm, while Tada and Pichatur recorded 14 cm each. Incessant rains have caused significant inflows into several reservoirs in Tirupati district, prompting officials to release excess water.

Cyclone Fengal has disrupted life in major towns and rural areas. Heavy rainfall and strong winds have caused waterlogging and power outages in Tirupati, Nellore, Sullurpet, Naidupeta and Kavali. Reservoirs, which had been almost empty, are now 40 per cent full. Authorities are on high alert to check any breach in embankments.

Transport services have been disrupted. APSRTC has cancelled 45 bus services over the weekend, with water flowing over bridges and causeways.

Flights between Visakhapatnam and Tirupati have been partially affected. The launch of a new flight service to Mumbai got delayed by three hours due to adverse weather. It eventually departed with full occupancy of 186 passengers.

District authorities have stepped up efforts to minimise the impact of cyclone. Special teams are monitoring embankments, managing water levels in reservoirs, and preparing for emergency repairs.

Farmers remain anxious, as continued rainfall could threaten their livelihoods.