ANANTAPUR: Heavy rainfall with gusty winds continued to lash Rayalaseema region, leading to major damage to standing crops. Anantapur city experienced heavy rainfall since Saturday night.
The canals in the city were overflowing and rainwater submerged fields and the main roads. Low-lying areas have been inundated due to overflowing of canals.
Kishore, resident of Court Road area, said the access between the rail overbridge and the road remained blocked even during normal rainfall while the situation was worse during heavy rain. Stranded people would have to take a long alternative route to reach back to their homes.
Even the service road under Ramnagar bridge has been blocked due to the overflow of rain water from the drainages.
Standing crops including paddy as also orchards of mango, papaya and banana were badly affected due to gusty winds and heavy rainfall in Anantapur, Kurnool and Kadapa areas. Horticulture and agriculture officials have begun assessing the loss to farmers in Kadapa and Anantapur.
Forecast: Gusty winds with heavy rain possible in many parts of Rayalaseema along with thunderstorms. Shepherds and farmers have been advised to take refuge in field shelters.
