Heavy rains lash Prakasam and Nellore districts, schools closed amid flood risk

Sixteen mandals in Prakasam district and seven mandals in SPSR Nellore district received excess rainfall on Tuesday. According to government data, Prakasam registered an average rainfall of 53 mm, while Nellore recorded 31.2 mm.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Met Centre in Amaravati reported that a well-marked low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal, off the north Sri Lanka coast, moved northwest and was situated off the Tamil Nadu coast on Wednesday morning. As this system continues to move northwest, it is likely to intensify into a depression over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, off the south Andhra Pradesh coast, within the next 12 hours. The system is expected to move across the south Andhra Pradesh coast during this period.

Extremely heavy rainfall has been forecast for SPSR Nellore, Prakasam, Tirupati, Annamayya, Chittoor, and Kadapa districts. Meanwhile, Sri Sathya Sai, Anantapur, Nandyal, Kurnool, and Bapatla districts may experience heavy to very heavy rainfall.

Taking note of the severe weather, district collectors have declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in South Coastal Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday. The ruling MLAs have also expressed their support to the public.

In Nellore Rural, MLA Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy instructed Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders and activists to remain on high alert and provide immediate relief to residents if necessary. He urged people to contact him directly at 85579 99999 in case of emergencies.

Kovur MLA Vemireddy Prashanthi Reddy advised her constituents to take all necessary precautions to safeguard themselves from potential flooding, especially due to the threat from Somasila following widespread rains. She discussed with the Collector the protective measures being taken, highlighting the vulnerability of Penna river embankments in several areas, and called for heightened vigilance among those residing along the riverside.

Prakasam District Collector P. Rajababu conducted extensive tours of coastal fishing villages in Singarayakonda, Tanguturu, and Kothapatnam mandals. He reviewed the preparedness of government agencies and urged fishermen and villagers to remain vigilant.

Nellore District Collector Himanshu Shukla directed officials to establish a 24x7 control room, staffed in shifts, to coordinate relief measures. The officials were instructed to be prepared to provide immediate assistance upon receiving calls from the public.