Light to moderate rain lashed Ongole and other parts of the drought-prone Prakasam district on Sunday, bringing cheers to farmers.
The skies opened up at dawn and the downpour lasted for over two hours, leaving most roads in Ongole under a sheet of water. Motorists had a tough time negotiating the potholed roads.
Ongole recorded a rainfall of 31.75 mm, enough for the temperature to come down by 3-5 degrees Celsius and bringing a little respite for the residents from the heat.
Farmers upbeat
The spell has rekindled the hopes of farmers who are yet to sow in a majority of the areas due to the 16% deficit rainfall during the southwest monsoon. The district recorded 275.5 mm rainfall so far into the southwest monsoon as against the normal 327.8 mm, according a report by the Andhra Pradesh State Planning Development Society.
According to the Agriculture department, the farmers could cover the deficit in the cropped area, which was only 42% of the normal extent of 5.36 lakh acres till September 22, at least belatedly during winter as the Indian Meteorological department has predicted a low pressure in the Bay of Bengal, which is expected to bring more rains from September 29.
Podili recorded a maximum rainfall of 65 mm followed by Narasingolu 44mm, Kanigiri 39.75 mm, Ardhaveedu 36.75 mm, Sanikavaram 31 mm and Ponnalur 25.5 mm.
