Untimely rains & gales play havoc

Hyderabad: Heavy rain and strong gales damaged crop throughout the State during the last three days. The Meteorological Department announced that there would be rain or thunder showers in the north coastal Andhra and one or two places in Telangana and Rayalaseema in the next 36 hours. The rains caused drop of mercury in North Andhra by six degrees Celsius while it remained normal in South Andhra and other parts.

There have been heavy rains in the districts of Vizianagaram,Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, Chittoor, Khammam, Warangal, Adilabad, Krishna, East and West Godavari. A In Prakasam district, two people died on the spot when they were struck by a lightning on Saturday. Vajan (13) was working in her agriculture field in Turpuveerai Palem in Darsi mandal in the district, when she was felled by a lightning. A woman Jalie Bai died when she came under a lightning strike in Pasugallu Thanda in Madlamuru mandal. Rajeswari in Kothapalem in Darsi mandal suffered serious injuries in similar incident.

In Vizianagaram, Crop in 230 hectares was damaged due to the heavy rains that has been lashing the district during the last two days, district in-charge minister Botcha Satyanarayana said. He instructed the officials to assess the crop loss submit a report to the government.

Srikakulam district has been experiencing downpour for the last three days. Cashew and mango orchards suffered heavy loss in Tekkali, Palasa, Palakonda, Patapatnam, Icchapuram, Kaviti, Kanchili, Narasannapet and others. At Naupada in Santabommali mandal, salt pans were submerged in 2,000 acres. In Warangal district, a huge tree was uprooted due to the strong gales and heavy rain at Nakkala Gutta in Hanumakonda on Saturday. The traffic was disrupted. One person died when lightning struck him at Duggondi mandal. Meanwhile, the sudden rains and gales have also affected the BJP's 'Praja Chaitanya Sadassu' held on the day.

The party flags and flexi boards put up welcoming the leaders were out torn down by the winds.A In Adilabad, Mandade Nanji of Khairi village in Kerameri mandal died of lightning. In Chittoor, mango grooves were damaged in Putturu and surrounding mandals due to the heavy rains. A In Khammam, mirchi and maize crops were damaged due to the strong gales and heavy rain. In Visakhapatnam, an eighth class student died when lightning struck him at Kittampet village of Ravikamatam mandal.

In West Godavari, heavy rains lashed Palacole, Tanuku and other areas. In East Godavari, rains resulted in inundation of crops in Rangampet, Rajanagaram mandals and heavy rain lashed Kakinada in East Godavari distrct. A In Krishna district, hailstorm damaged paddy and mango crops in Gampalagudem, Tiruvuru mandals. Farmers appealed to the government to come to their rescue at this crucial period.