Lightning Kills 4 As Rains Lash Many Parts Of AP

Lightning killed four persons in Palnadu district amid rains that lashed many parts of the state on Sunday.

The victims were identified as Talapaneni Nagamma from Petlurivaripalem, Majjiga Chinna Koteshwara Rao from Mopirivaripalem, Mekala Venkayamma from Lakshmipuram near Kakani, and Derangula Venkataiah from Palapadu village.

Several parts of coastal Andhra received heavy rainfall during the 24-hour period ending at 8.30am on Sunday. Penamaluru in Krishna district recorded the highest rainfall of 10cm, followed by Malikipuram in Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema district 9.7cm, Chilakaluripet in Palnadu 9.4cm, Narasapur in West Godavari 9.8cm and Martur in Bapatla 9.6cm.

Ainavilli, Mogalthur, Addanki, Sakhinetipalli and Guntur West also recorded rainfall ranging from 8.4cm to 8.9cm. From 8.30am to 5pm on Sunday, Mettakkivalasa in Srikakulam recorded 3.1cm, Undrajavaram 3.3cm, Narsannapeta 3.2cm, Mallampeta in Vizianagaram 3.2cm and Santhabommali 3.1cm.

Meanwhile, a low-pressure area over Madhya Pradesh and adjoining north Vidarbha is likely to move west-northwestwards across Rajasthan and Gujarat by Monday, bringing thunderstorms and rain to several parts of Andhra Pradesh.

An AP state disaster management authority bulletin said light to moderate rain accompanied by lightning was likely at isolated places in Parvathipuram Manyam, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Polavaram, Kakinada, NTR, Guntur, Palnadu, Markapuram, Nandyal, Kadapa, Annamayya, Chittoor and Tirupati districts.

Other districts are also likely to receive scattered light rain accompanied by thunderstorms. Gusty winds with speeds of 40–50kmph are likely in parts of the state.

CM mourns deaths of four in lightning strike

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday expressed grief over the death of four persons struck by lightning in Palnadu district.

The victims were Talapaneni Nagamma of Petlurivaripalem, Majjiga Chinna Koteswara Rao of Mopirivaripalem, Mekala Venkayamma of Lakshmipuram on the outskirts of Kakani and Derangula Venkatayya of Palapadu village, all in Narasaraopet mandal.

Naidu said it was distressing that four persons had lost their lives in the lightning strike.

He assured the affected families that the government would extend them all necessary support.