Moderate to heavy rain across Rayalaseema over the past two days has brought relief from a prolonged dry spell, with Anantapur recording an average 43.5 mm of rain and Yadiki receiving a district-high 97.6 mm, but farmers said the late showers were unlikely to revive crops that had already withered.
Several parts of YSR Kadapa, Kurnool and Nandyal districts also received rain. Proddatur, Mydukur, Kamalapuram, Chennur and Rayachoti in YSR Kadapa recorded around 30 mm of rain. Adoni and Kodumur in Kurnool received heavy showers, with low-lying areas in Adoni inundated. Nandyal town received heavy rain for nearly two hours, leaving several residential colonies waterlogged.
In Anantapur district, Narpala received 86.8 mm, Bommanahal 80.2 mm, Pamidi 80 mm and Tadipatri 73.4 mm. Peddavadugur recorded 72.4 mm, while Yellanur and Atmakur received 69.6 mm and 63.2 mm respectively. Garladinne recorded 62.4 mm, Uravakonda 62.2 mm, Putlur 58.2 mm and Vajrakarur 55.2 mm.
According to the district rainfall classification, seven mandals received heavy rain and 18 recorded moderate rainfall. Three mandals received light rain, while four reported no rain. D. Hirehal, Rayadurg, Gummagatta and Brahmasamudram recorded no rainfall.
The rain also disrupted road connectivity at some places. A channel overflow blocked the road between Penchulapadu and Poliki villages in Vidapanakal mandal.
“The rain has come too late to save crops that have already dried up. It may, however, be useful for farmers who have raised paddy under borewell irrigation,” said C. Mallikarjuna Reddy, a farmer from Panayam mandal.
Farmers said the showers could improve fodder availability and provide some relief to livestock, but were unlikely to create fresh cultivation opportunities. “The damage has already been done and there is little scope for taking up new cultivation with these rains. At best, the showers may help improve fodder availability,” said M. Jayaraju, a farmer from Khajipet mandal in Kadapa district.
The rains came amid a wider rainfall deficit in Anantapur, with official APSDPS data showing a 52.1 per cent seasonal deficit as of September 19.
Weather officials at the Rekulakunta meteorological centre said several parts of Rayalaseema were likely to receive rain over the next 36 hours. The latest IMD forecast also indicated thunderstorms, lightning and strong surface winds in Rayalaseema, including Anantapur, over the next few days.
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