Nandyal hit by Cyclone Montha

Nandyal district received 10 cm rainfall since Tuesday evening, with Srisailam mandal registering the highest of 26 cm due to Cyclone Montha. It resulted in the overflow of several streams and inundation of some residential areas in Mahanandi, Atmakur, Bandi Atmakur and Nandyal mandals. Six rehabilitation camps were set up and affected people shifted to them.

Parts of Nandyal town also submerged, with river Kundu and other major and minor rivulets overflowing with rainwater from Nallamala ranges. Minister of Minorities Welfare N. Md Farooq and Collector Rajakumari Ganiya inspected the affected areas in Nandyal on Wednesday.

Ms. Rajakumari Ganiya said that 10 mandals in the district received more than 10 cm rainfall and Nandyal, Allagadda and Atmakur constituencies bore the brunt of the floods. She added that 10,000 cusecs of water was released from Velugodu reservoir, which led to increase in floods to river Kundu. She added that there were six low-lying areas in Nandyal Urban area, in which 1,400 families were living and they were shifted to schools, community halls and provided with food and shelter.

Special teams have been formed to meet any emergency situation, she said. The Collector said that crop loss enumeration and a complete assessment would be done after floodwaters receded by Thursday evening. She assured compensation to farmers who incurred losses.

Ms. Rajakumari Ganiya said that rainwater from Nallamala ranges flowed into 21 streams and congregated into river Kundu. This led to overflowing of Narayanapuram vagu in Bandi Atmakur mandal and Bagavasi Vagu in Atmakur mandal. A total of six rehabilitation centres have been set up in Atmakur, Bandi Atmakur, Mahanandi and Nandyal mandals. Holidays have been declared to schools, colleges and anganwadi centres till October 31.

Later in the day, the Collector inspected the crops affected by rains in Allagadda and Rudravaram mandals.