1 dead, crops damaged by heavy rain, gales

Ongole: The sudden change in the atmosphere from afternoon on Thursday gave a big relief from the heat wave to the public in Prakasam district. The temperature fell from 38 degree Centigrade around 1 pm to 30 degree centigrade by 3 pm. The people enjoyed the drizzle in many areas but the heavy rains in villages damaged the crops.

In the afternoon, the meteorological department warned the officials that Santamaguluru, Ballikurava, Martur, Inkollu, Janakavaram Panguluru, Thallur, Addanki, Mundlamuru, Darsi, Santanutalapadu, Maddipadu, Korisapadu and Chimakurthy mandals will receive moderate thunderstorms with lightening and gusty winds.

Due to the cumulonimbus clouds movement from Telangana towards Andhra Pradesh, the Prakasam district Collector ordered all RDOs to be alert and conduct a teleconference with the MROs to be ready to face heavy rainfall, with gusty winds and thunderstorm at many places.

Since the evening, many places in Prakasam district have experienced heavy gales. In Ongole, the hoardings and barricades, thatched shelters made to protect from the heat waves were damaged. On the Addanki Narkatpalli highway, traffic was disturbed and halted for a few kilometers due to the heavy winds.

In Podili and Kambalapadu heavy rains grounded the banana plantations and a woman by name, Anjamma aged 45 years died due to thunderbolt at Chennupalli village in Ballikurava mandal.

The rains with heavy gales and lightening continued in many villages in Podili, Yerragondapalem, Kondepi, Giddalur and Markapuram Assembly constituencies since evening. The Birudula Narava village in Markapuram mandal was flooded by the rain water from upland. Flood water was flowing on the Komarole road stopping the vehicles’ movement. The electricity supply in Cumbum, Bestavaripeta, Ardhveedu, Racharla, Markapuram and Chimakurthy was cut off around 3 pm due to the heavy winds and the power was not restored even after 6 pm.