Date:29/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/29/stories/2008072955260100.htm

Front Page

Widespread rain improves situation in State

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Widespread rain lashed the State for the fifth day on Monday with isolated heavy fall at many places, changing the grim situation that prevailed on the farm and power fronts. The monsoon remained “vigorous” over the State as a result of the low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal off the North Andhra coast which was likely to become well-marked. More rain has been forecast.

Though late, the rain offered relief to people by way of power supply and to farmers, with kharif operations picking up. The demand for the supply in farm and domestic sectors came down drastically.

Nine cm of rain hit Nuzvid in Krishna district wetting vast stretches of paddy crop. Cheepurupalli received 8 cm and Khammam, Eluru and Madhira, 7 cm each. Fifty other places recorded rainfall up to 6 cm.

AP Transco restricted the power cut to one hour in Hyderabad and other cities and reduced the duration of the cut in rural areas. Energy demand on Sunday fell to 156 million units, compared to 175 a few days ago.

Water began flowing in the Godavari and a few rivulets in Srikakulam district and an inflow of 3,500 cusecs was reaching Sriramsagar project, that now has only 6 tmcft of storage, against a full capacity of 91 tmcft.

In Srikakulam district, officials opened the crest-gates of Madduvalasa project due to heavy inflows.