: With the cyclonic storm ‘Roanu’ moving towards the Andhra – Orissa border, the southern district of Nellore has got a relief from the heavy rains and gales this time. The threat of heavy rains to the district has also receded and scattered rains were recorded till Thursday morning.
The people of the district heaved a sigh of relief as they were yet to recover from the bitter memories of the damage caused by the heavy floods in November and December last year.
Only a handful of pockets have felt the impact of the rain that lashed the district till Wednesday night. In all, 30 transformers and 22 electric poles were uprooted while two to three houses were partially damaged.
During his visit to Balajinagar, where trees were damaged and houses were partially hit, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister P. Narayana inspected a damaged house and instructed the officials to provide immediate assistance to the residents.
However, the coastal villages witnessed gales reaching a speed of 5o to 60 kmph. Officials continued restrictions on the fishermen.
As the cyclone was yet to cross the coast, the revenue and police staff, especially in the coastal belt, were asked to remain on high alert.
Mr. Narayana said the present spell was of good help as the water would be used to the optimum with the help of check-dams and percolation tanks being developed under the Neeru-Chettu programme.
