Cyclone Montha brings heavy rain to eastern mandals in Chittoor district

Normal life was hit in the eastern mandals of Nagari, Vijayapuram, and Nindra in Chittoor district under the influence of Cyclone Montha on Tuesday, leading to waterlogging in several villages and streams overflowing.

The region witnessed moderate rainfall of over 20 mm by Tuesday evening, submerging roads and inundating low-lying areas in the Nagari division. Approach roads were inundated, while heavy runoff from the Nagari hills entered agricultural fields, causing concern among farmers due to freshly sown Rabi crops.

At Keelapattu bridge in Nagari, floodwater was seen overflowing the retaining walls, prompting the police and Irrigation officials to erect barricades and divert traffic. Six relief teams were deployed to maintain round-the-clock vigil, expecting a fresh spell of rain overnight. Over 50 irrigation tanks across the three mandals received heavy inflows, while the officials released excess water into nearby streams. The officials have kept the sandbags ready at tank bunds vulnerable to breaches.

The Krishnarajapuram reservoir in Karvetinagaram mandal was reported to be brimming to the full. The Irrigation officials said that the reservoir, which irrigates around 6,000 acres, had overflowed seven times in October, prompting the controlled release of water downstream to prevent breaches.

Meanwhile, Chittoor Special Officer P.S. Girisha and Collector Sumit Kumar inspected the Krishnapuram reservoir and the Keelapattu bridge in Nagari, alerting the local authorities to be alert to the possibility of flash floods. “We are reviewing the situation every few hours. People should remain indoors until the rain eases,” said Collector Sumit Kumar.

The officials said that the cyclone’s impact is expected to continue until Wednesday (October 29) afternoon.

Meanwhile, power disruptions were reported in scattered places in the division. The Revenue officials were instructed to be ready to open a relief shelter in Nagari in case of heavy rains.