Thunderstorms paralyse Andhra

Vijayawada: Thunderstorms hit several parts of Andhra Pradesh for the second day on Thursday paralysing normal life and causing extensive damage to standing crops.

There may not be respite from the thunderstorms for the next 24 hours as the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has predicted strong surface winds from south-westerly direction with speed reaching 45 kmph likely along and off coastal Andhra Pradesh. It has advised fishermen against venturing into the sea.

The high-velocity winds and rains lashed almost all coastal districts. Major cities Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada received heavy rains accompanied by gales but in Tirupati it was just a drizzle. Rain and gusty winds brought the Steel City to its knees.

The low-lying areas of Visakhapatnam were water-logged. The city witnessed the nature's fury since early hours on Thursday. Razor sharp winds cut through habitations in Pendurty, Simhachalam, Bheemili-Madhurawada in the city and also in Chodavaram, Elamanchili and the agency areas.

Winds disrupted power supply in several areas. The sea remained rough due to bad weather. The rainwater along with drainage overflowed on to the roads at some places. Vehicles were stuck in the stagnated waters at several places.

Vizianagaram received heavy downpour in the early hours. The thundershowers did not leave any village in the district as places, including Mentada, Parvathipuram, Denkada, Gajapathinagarm, Bobbili and Parvathipuram were affected by rains and accompanying gales.

Paddy crop which is being grown in rabi was submerged in water. The gales damaged mango and cashew crops. But farmers who are raising vegetables are happy as the rain would help in better yield. Locals of Chinakondarajupalem village in Bhogapuram mandal found the body of P Chinaammoru, a fisherman.

Actually, he went into Bay of Bengal for fishing on Tuesday and his body was washed ahsore by high tide on Thursday. Vijayawada and parts of Krishna district were buffeted by rains and gales. Low-lying areas in Vijayawada city were inundated with sudden cloudburst which lasted for nearly two hours.

Worst affected areas in the city were Moghalrajpuram, Mutyalampadu, Wynch Pet, Islampet, parts of Eluru road in Machavaram, K Market junction (low bridge), where water logging took place. Power supply was disrupted in some parts of the city but was restored by evening. In Prakasam district, the cumulonimbus clouds movement from Telangana towards Andhra Pradesh triggered thunderstorms. 

The Revenue department has been put on alert to move to the areas where people might be affected and move them to safer places. Since evening many places in Prakasam district experienced powerful gales. In Ongole, hoardings and barricades, thatched shelters set up to protect people from the sweltering heat were blown away.

In Addanki Narkatpalli highway, movement of traffic came to a grounding halt due to rain and winds. In Podili, Kambalapadu heavy rains grounded the banana plantations and a woman by name, Anjamma aged 45 years died due to thunderbolt at Chennupalli village in Ballikurava mandal.

The pilgrim city of Tirupati, which is usually insulated from rain, experienced drizzles and pleasant winds. The scorching hot weather suddenly changed into cloudy and windy by evening turning the weather cool in the city bringing cheers to the denizens. The drizzling continued for about twenty minutes.