PNS|Vijayawada
The State is receiving normal to heavy rains due to the impact of the depression formed over the Bay of Bengal. During the past 24 hours, Andhra Pradesh registered 30.30 mm of rainfall as against the normal 5.23 mm. With the rain pouring continuously, normal life was severely affected. People remained in their houses. In view of the incessant rains, collectors of Krishna, NTR and other districts announced holidays for schools.
Tributaries of rivers and streams are overflowing and low-lying areas of the State have been inundated. Water level has risen in Munneru, a left tributary of River Krishna. Officials of the NTR district have banned vehicular traffic between Andhra and Telangana States.
Also, the downpour has affected agricultural activities. Paddy, cotton and other fields have been submerged. Many streams and bends are overflowing in NTR, Krishna, Eluru, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Anakapalli, Kakinada, and other districts.
During the past 24 hours, Eluru district has received the highest rainfall of 72.60 mm against the normal 9.5 mm.
It is double the State average rainfall of 30.30 mm. Since July 1, the State has received 157.30 mm of rainfall on an average against the normal 138.70 mm. Since June 1, the State has recorded 223.10 mm rainfall, while the normal quantity is 234.70 mm.
According to a report of the Andhra Pradesh State Development Planning Society (APSDPS), Eluru district registered the highest rainfall in the past 24 hours. Visakhapatnam district registered 67.40 mm, NTR district 65.20 mm, Krishna 65 mm, Anakapalli 64.10 mm, Kakinada 41.90 mm, West Godavari 39.60 mm, Guntur 39.50 mm, Alluri Sitarama Raju district 39.20 mm, East Godavari 35.50 mm, and Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema district registered 32.30 mm of rainfall during the period.
Meanwhile, Anantapur district has registered the lowest rainfall of 3.80 mm. Sri Satya Sai district registered 5.30 mm of rainfall, Chittoor 7.30 mm, Prakasam 7.90 mm, Parvatipuram Manyam 7.90 mm, Annamayya 8.70 mm, SPS Nellore 9.8 mm and YSR and Tirupati districts registered 11.30 mm of rainfall each.
Besides, Kurnool 18.00 mm, Palnadu district 19.50 mm, Bapatla 20.80 mm, and Nandyal district registered 23.80 mm of rainfall.
Deficit rainfall in 7 districts
Though the State is witnessing very heavy rains, seven districts have recorded deficit rainfall. Tirupati has registered 42.70 per cent deficit rainfall. While the district’s normal rainfall is 167.10 mm, it registered only 95.7 mm.
Besides, Annamayya district registered 37.90 per cent deficit rainfall, YSR 36.20 per cent, Sri Satya Sai 25.20 per cent, SPS Nellore 29 per cent, West Godavari 25.30 per cent, and Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema district received 23 per cent deficit rainfall.
Meanwhile, Krishna district has recorded large excess rainfall. So far, Krishna has registered 431.90 mm of rainfall against the normal of 270.40 mm, which is over 59.70 per cent. Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Guntur, and Bapatla districts also reported excess rainfall, which was normal in the remaining districts.
Vehicular traffic stopped between AP and TS
Munneru tributary of River Krishna received more flood water from the upper catchment area of Telangana districts Warangal and Khammam. According to the Water Resources Department, Munneru was receiving 56,000 cusecs of flood water from the upper catchment area.
In view of the situation, the Revenue and Police Departments stopped vehicular traffic on the Munneru Bridge (Causeway) at Lingala of Vatsavai Mandal in NTR district between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana States.
Also, the police officials suspended vehicular traffic on the Munneru Low-Level Bridge at Penuganchiprolu. Due to the heavy flow of flood water from Munneru, Kalyana Katta of the Sri Lakshmi Tirupatammavari Devasthanam was inundated up to two feet.
Meanwhile, Nandigama Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) M Ravindra Rao alerted the people not to enter Munneru and River Krishna. Tributaries Munneru, Wyra, and Kattaleru have received more than 73,240 cusecs of flood, he said. Many streams and bends are overflowing with the flood water, he said.
Panchayat Raj, Municipal, and other departments should take steps to avoid untoward incidents due to the floods in Krishna, he added.
Moreover, many streams and bends are overflowing in the Tiruvuru constituency and several villages were inundated. As Kattaleru is overflowing, traffic between Chimalapadu and Gampalagudem was stopped. Many villages have no connectivity with the mandal headquarters.
