Cyclone Vardah: At least two die of electrocution in Andhra’s Chittoor district

The district administrations of Nellore and Chittoor declared holiday for schools and colleges on Tuesday on account of heavy rains and forecast of further rains later in the day.

At least two persons died of electrocution in Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh, which received heavy rainfall in the past 24 hours as severe cyclonic storm Vardah over Bay of Bengal crossed the coast near Chennai on Monday evening.

Heavy rains lashes Chennai as high velocity winds uprooted hundreds of trees as the severe cyclonic storm Vardah was making its landfall in Chennai on Monday afternoon. Two people died of electrocution in Andhra’s Chittoor district following heavy rainfalls due to the cyclone. (Vanne Srinivasulu / HT Photo)

According to the latest bulletin released by the Cyclone Warning Centre, Visakhapatnam, on Tuesday morning, Vardah crossed coastal Tamil Nadu moved south-westwards and weakened into cyclone and deep depression over interior Tamil Nadu, about 25 km southeast of Vellore.

Nellore, Chittoor and Kadapa districts received huge rainfall along with gale winds with a speed of 60-80 kmph, uprooting trees and electric poles on Monday. Two deaths were reported in Chittoor town as they came in touch with live wires of electric poles which got uprooted due to heavy winds.

Power supply was disrupted in several parts of Nellore and Chittoor districts.

Due to rains, knee-deep rainwater entered the premises of the Lord Venkateshwara temple in Tirumala and the TTD authorities had to use fire engines to drain out the water. The transport between Tirupati and Tirumala came to a halt due to landslides and uprooting of trees on the ghat roads.

The district administrations of Nellore and Chittoor declared holiday for schools and colleges on Tuesday on account of heavy rains and forecast of further rains later in the day.