Articles by Pathri Rajasekhar

Technology

Police Win Praise for Swift Response During Cyclone Montha in Nellore and Prakasam

Nellore: Police in SPS Nellore and Prakasam districts earned widespread appreciation for their swift and coordinated response during Cyclone Montha, which brought heavy rains and flooding across coastal Andhra Pradesh.In SPS Nellore district, SP Dr Ajitha Vejendla commended the police force for their timely and disciplined operations that ensured public safety despite severe weather conditions. Acting on her directions, police halted heavy vehicles on NH-16 from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. on October 28 and 29 to prevent accidents. Teams from Kavali, Venkatachelam, Buchi, and Atmakur managed traffic and assisted stranded motorists until conditions improved.At Marripadu, CI Gangadhara Rao and SI Srinivasa Rao diverted traffic and cleared floodwater from NH-565, while in Ulavapadu, Kandukur DSP Ch. V.B. Subrahmanyam, CI Sk. Anwar Basha, and SI Ankamma restored access to Veerepalli ST Colony after flooding washed away the connecting road.Near Racharlapadu, close to IFFCO on NH-16, Additional SP Ch. Soujanya and Rural DSP Srinivasa Rao redirected vehicles through alternate routes and patrolled through the night to prevent mishaps.Meanwhile, in Prakasam district, SP V. Harshavardhan Raju led an extensive rain-relief and rescue operation, personally inspecting flood-hit zones including Ongole, Pelluru, and Pernamitta, where overflowing tanks inundated highways.In coordination with Revenue, Municipal, and Panchayat departments, police deployed JCBs to divert floodwater, clear blockages, and restore traffic flow across submerged stretches.At Naguluppalapadu, where water from nearby streams flooded the national highway, the SP ordered immediate traffic diversions. Continuous coordination among police, civic, and disaster response teams helped avert accidents and maintain mobility in affected regions.Drone surveillance was deployed to monitor flooding in low-lying areas, while over 4,900 people were safely relocated to rehabilitation centres. The SP urged the public to avoid travelling near overflowing streams and to contact 112 or the WhatsApp helpline 9121102266 in emergencies.In a separate rescue operation, police from Pullalacheruvu station saved nine stranded buses—seven RTC and two private—stuck near Kunkuduchettu Penta and Davupalli villages after rising floodwaters cut off the road. SI Sampath Kumar coordinated with highway staff to mobilise JCBs and tippers, safely towing the buses and providing food and water to passengers.Both district SPs lauded their officers for their dedication, teamwork, and round-the-clock service, emphasising that ensuring public safety remains the top priority during the cyclone crisis.

Technology

Ongole Reels Under Waterlogging As Cyclone Montha Triggers Heavy Downpour

NELLORE: Several parts of the coastal town of Ongole came to a standstill on Wednesday as heavy rains, triggered by Cyclone Montha, battered the region, resulting in severe waterlogging across the city. Although the cyclone has gradually weakened after crossing the coast, its impact continues to disrupt daily life in the district headquarters. Continuous downpour since early Tuesday morning turned major roads into streams and low-lying areas into pools of water. Vehicular movement was paralysed in residential colonies located on both sides of the Pothuraju kaluva that flows through the town. Water entered several houses and shops, forcing residents to shift their valuables to upper floors. Power supply was intermittently disrupted in some localities as authorities shut down electricity in flooded zones to prevent accidents. People were forced to remain indoors as internal roads in several habitations were submerged in rainwater. Municipal and disaster response teams have been deployed to pump out water and clear clogged drains. Municipal commissioner Dr K. Venkateswar Rao urged citizens to stay indoors and avoid venturing into inundated areas. The colonies affected by Cyclone Montha include Islampeta, Pellur, Papa Colony, Balaram Colony, Kesaraju Kunta, JP Colony, Virat Nagar, Sathyanarayanapuram, Sujatha Nagar, Sonia Gandhi Nagar, Nethaji Nagar, and Sreeram Colony, among others. Cyclone Montha may have lost its intensity, but its heavy spell has left Ongole battling one of its worst waterlogging incidents in recent years.