Andhra Pradesh rains: The depression over southwest Bay of Bengal and there after thee landfall has created a havoc in south Andhra Pradesh, especially the four districts of Rayalaseema – Chittoor, Nellore, ananthapur and Kadapa seem to be bearing the burnt all the more. With incessant rains and overflowing of dams as well as reservoirs, the three districts are completely drenched and it looks like the damage of property and crops will be something that will take time to recoup.
Andhra Pradesh rains
At least 23 persons were killed in different rain-related incidents in Chittoor, Kadapa and Anantapur districts of Rayalaseema. A few people from two villages in Rajampet mandal of Kadapa district are feared washed away in floods. The downpour for the last two days resulted in overflowing of rivers, tanks and canals in Chittoor and Nellore districts. Penna, Swarnamukhi and Kalangi rivers are in spate.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy conducted an aerial survey of rain affected areas in Kadapa, Chittoor and Nellore after reviewing the situation with the district collectors. He went to Kadapa directly by a helicopter from Gannavaram airport to survey the flood affected areas and returned from Renigunta airport.
Earlier Prime Minister Narender Modi called Jagan and enquired about the situation, he promised full support to the state from the centre with regards to flood rescue and rehabilitation operations. The CM directed officials to pay a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of those killed in rain-related incidents. Official teams were constituted to assess the crop damage. The state government appointed special officers for Nellore, Chittoor and Kadapa districts to oversee relief measures. He also instructed officials to provide Rs 2,000 aid to each family affected by floods and shifted to relief camps.
Though rains have subsided in Rayalaseema, inflows into several projects are continuing and the low-lying areas downstream are put on an alert. Heavy rains lashed parts of Nellore district especially Atmakur and Nellore revenue divisions. Upland mandals in the district have received flooding due to overflowing of rivulets, canals in the region.
In Tirupati, several residential areas continue to be under sheets of water while the TTD is not allowing two-wheelers on the ghat road to Tirumala as a precautionary measure.