Heavy rain lashes Nellore, Chittoor

TIRUPATI/NELLORE:Heavy rain has been lashing Chittoor and Nellore districts since Thursday night, throwing the normal life out of gear.According to the meteorological officials, the heavy rain is under the influence of northeast monsoon and low pressure over Comorin area in Arabian Sea. Due to incessant rain for the past few days, the Kaivalya river is flowing above the danger mark between Gudur and Saidapuram mandals of Nellore district.According to the officials, 20 villages in both the mandals have been cut off from the rest of the district with the river water flowing over the bridges and culverts. The Upputeru is also in spate putting the official machinery on alert. Several lowlying areas downstream of the Kaivalya river and Upputeru have been partially inundated. However, there have been no reports of loss of life so far.Vehicular traffic from Gudur to Saidapuram is being diverted through Manubolu, Podalakur and Kalichedu. The incessant rain has hit the arrival of lemon stocks at the Gudur market as the fruit is extensively grown in Saidapuram, Dekkali and Balayapalle mandals. Traffic between Gudur and Saidapuram will be restored once the Kaivalya river recedes.In Nellore district, Venkatagiri, Balayapalle and Dekkali mandals have received heavy rainfall. Thereis continuous drizzling in other parts of the district, including Nellore city. The eastern mandals of Chittoor district, including Tirupati and Tirumala, have also received heavy rainfall. With cloud cover over the seven hills and rainwater flow from Kapilatheertham and Malavani Gundam, the hill shrine presented a picturesque view on Saturday. According to the meteorological officials, a total of 2,534.5 mm rainfall was recorded in the district till 8 am on Saturday. The average rainfall was put at 38.4 mm. Varadayapalem recorded the highest rainfall of 107.4 mm, followed by Thottambedu (100 mm), Renigunta (95.8 mm), Srikalahasti (95.2 mm), BN Kandriga (90.6 mm), Satyavedu (90 mm), Tirupati Urban and Rural (82.4 mm), Chittoor (83.4 mm) and Puttur (57 mm).Drains in Tirupati are overflowing at many places. Municipal officials have initiated measures to clear the rainwater which got stagnated, impeding the flow of vehicular traffic.