Five-Day Rain Forecast Issued After Heavy Showers Hit Andhra Districts
Heavy rainfall in Kakinada and Guntur districts on the evening of the previous day caused extensive damage to crops spread across thousands of acres. Due to the impact of the rains, several electric poles were uprooted, and palm trees and other vegetation fell on feeder lines, resulting in snapped power cables and a complete disruption of electricity supply in many areas. Roads were submerged in water.
In Kakinada district, paddy crops in thousands of acres were destroyed in the villages of Kirlampudi, Chillangi, Ramakrishnapuram, Rajupalem, Mukkollu, Veeravaram, Gonedda, and Geddanapalli, as well as in Kakarapalli village in Tuni Rural Mandal. According to estimates by agricultural department officials, nearly 4,000 acres of crops were damaged in Kirlampudi Mandal alone. The mango crop also suffered irreparable losses.
In Guntur district, unseasonal rain caused severe damage as well. In Prathipadu Mandal, chili and tobacco farmers struggled to protect their harvested crops stored in sheds. Water surrounded the drying chili produce. In Gottipadu's Aadi Andhra Colony, a lightning strike on a palm tree triggered a fire that burned down four trees.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has forecast that rainfall will continue in the state for the next five days. A surface-level trough is persisting over the southern Andaman region. Along with this, due to the influence of a trough line, light to moderate rainfall is expected across various regions for the next five days. The department also stated that there is a possibility of thunderstorms today and tomorrow in some places and advised the public to remain alert.
Officials reported that as of 8:00 PM the previous night, the highest recorded rainfall was 56.25 millimeters in Velanka village of Kakinada district.