Rain claims 2 lives in Prakasam district

Heavy downpour caused by the Nilam cyclone claimed two lives in Prakasam district in the last 24 hours. One person died in a wall collapse while one more was washed away in a stream.

According to reports, M Venkatasubbayamma (67), a native of Toorpuveeraipalem of Darsi mandal died when in a wall collapse on Wednesday night. Jadala Ramaiah Maredupalli, a native of the same mandal, was washed away when he was crossing the Chandavaram Vagu stream on Wednesday afternoon. Heavy rains and chilly winds has thrown the normal life out of gear in the entire district.

The district received an average rainfall of 15 cm in the last 24 hours. A highest rainfall of 27 cm was recorded in Santanutalapadu mandal, followed by Maddipadu (25 cm) and Nagaluppalapadu (23 cm) mandals.

Pangaluru and Ongole town registered rainfall of 20 cm and 16 cm respectively. The rest of the mandals in the district received rain between 12 cm to 15 cm.

Around 3,000 people in Balaram Colony, Kesavarajukunta, Pragati Colony, Ilalnagar were affected in Ongole town. Six relief camps have been opened for the victims.

Flood water breached several causeways, snapping road links in more than 20 places in the district. The roads on Addanki-Medarametla, Ongole-Chirala, Ongole-Inkollu, Ongole-Kothapatnam, Kanigiri-Pamuru and Chimakurthy-Ongole stretches were damaged.

Meanwhile, tidal waves surged the coastal areas up to 100 meters at Ramayapatnam, Vadarevu, Kothapatnam and Pakala in Prakasam district and more than 100 meters at Suryalanka, Danavaipeta and Adaveedhipalli in Guntur district.

With the Gundlakamma project brimming with flood water, irrigation authorities opened eight crest gates to discharge water to downstream. 

The district administration is keeping a close watch on the situation. Cyclone special officer and senior IAS officer Narikala Valavan visited Addanki and other flood-hit areas and collector Anita Rajendra visited the several inundated villages on Thursday.

The heavy rain also took a toll on the standing crops.