Kurnool: The Kurnool and Nandyal districts received moderate to heavy rainfall through the last two days, flooding of various areas and disrupting communication channels.
In Nandyal district, Nandikotkur recorded 5.4cm of rainfall, Kothapalle 5cm, Atmakur 4.7cm, Midthur 4.3cm, while Bandi Atmakur, Velugodu, Jupadu Bungalow, Pagidyala and Pamulapadu recorded between 3.8cm and 3.4cm rainfall till Monday morning. Several other mandals received 2–3cm of rainfall.
In Kurnool district, Kalluru received 4cm rainfall, Nandavaram 3.8cm, Kurnool rural 3.7cm, C Belagal and Kurnool urban 3.6cm, Orvakal 3.4cm and Mantralayam 3.1cm. Many other mandals also recorded 2–3cm of rainfall. Anticipating more rains in the coming days, district collector Ranjit Basha declared a holiday for all educational institutions on Monday.
Roads minister Janardhan Reddy directed officials in Nandyal district to remain on full alert in the wake of the unseasonal rains in the past two days. They have been told to advise farmers on ways to protect their agricultural and horticultural crops. Electricity officials would take preventive measures against power disruptions caused by rains and winds and to restore supply swiftly wherever power lines are damaged.
The minister alerted the people in low-lying areas, especially in habitations near rivers, streams, tanks and canals, due to a risk of landslides and flooding.
In Kurnool, collector Ranjit Basha cautioned officials on the possibility of 1.20 lakh to 2 lakh cusecs of water being released from the Tungabhadra dam, which could flow into the Sunkesula reservoir by Tuesday morning.
He said that about 90,000 cusecs of water had been released on Monday, which reached Meliganur in Kowthalam mandal, near the Kurnool border. The water is expected to reach Mantralayam by 3pm.
The collector advised revenue and irrigation officials to remain vigilant and asked sub-collectors and RDOs to alert the people in villages through VROs, using tom-toms.
