Rain alert continues in Rayalaseema; crop loss ‘under enumeration’ in Annamayya district

The official machinery in Annamayya, Chittoor, and Kurnool districts remained fully geared up following the weather forecast of moderate to heavy rainfall across Rayalaseema districts over the next 48 hours, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds at isolated places.

Annamayya district received light rainfall on Thursday. The Cheyyeru river is in spate at the Rajampeta division, prompting police and Revenue officials to post guards at causeways and bunds. Collector Nishant Kumar directed the officials to stay alert in case of flooding, crop damage, and transport disruptions in the district.

Heavy rainfall submerged large areas of standing crops in Annamayya district, leading to significant damage. The Railway Kodur mandal recorded 151 mm of rain on Wednesday, resulting in overflowing streams and inundated fields. Preliminary reports said that paddy, banana, papaya, and other horticultural crops were considerably affected in the Rajampeta division, with Railway Kodur, Pullampeta and Chitvel bearing the brunt.

While farmers reported extensive damage to crops, officials observe that estimates of affected acreage and compensation details “are under enumeration”. District Agriculture and Revenue officials are expected to inspect the fields from October 25.

In Chittoor, light rain and drizzle were reported in the eastern mandals of Nagari, Karveti Nagaram, Nindra, and Vijayapuram late on Thursday evening. Meanwhile, Sri Sathya Sai district witnessed scattered rainfall, especially in Puttaparthi, Dharmavaram, and Kadiri on Thursday.