Cyclone Montha: Torrential rains cut off roads in Palnadu, Prakasam; buses stranded overnight

ONGOLE: Heavy rains triggered by Cyclone Montha created severe disruption in parts of Palnadu and Prakasam districts, with overflowing streams cutting off road connectivity and leaving several vehicles stranded overnight.

All the vehicles including passenger buses traveling from Yerragondapalem to Hyderabad and those coming from the opposite direction were halted midway as floodwaters surged across the roads at around 11 pm on Tuesday.




Flood waters from overflowing streams between Kunkudu Chettu Penta and Davupalli villages in Veldurthy mandal made road travel impossible. Vehicles were stranded for about 10km in Pullalacheruvu mandal. A total of nine buses — seven RTC and two private — were trapped on the stretch, leaving passengers stranded through the night in difficult conditions.

Upon receiving information, Pullalacheruvu Sub-Inspector Sampath Kumar reached the spot at daybreak with his team. He immediately coordinated with highway authorities to deploy JCBs and tippers to rescue the stranded vehicles. The police and highway staff towed each bus safely toward Yerragondapalem, ensuring all passengers were brought to safety.

Breakfast and drinking water were also arranged for the passengers stranded overnight. SP Harshavardhan Raju patted SI Sampath Kumar and his team for his swift and humanitarian response as they have virtually averted a potential tragedy. Though the incident occurred beyond his police station limits, the SI crossed jurisdictional boundaries to lead the rescue effort — a gesture that drew wide appreciation from locals and officials alike, complimented a senior official.

Meanwhile, in Prakasam district, the bund of Ramananna Cheruvu in Chadalavada village of Naguluppala Padu mandal breached due to incessant rainfall, resulting in heavy water flow across the roads. Superintendent of Police Harshavardhan Raju rushed to the spot and inspected the damage. Authorities used JCBs to strengthen and repair the breached section. Rainwater also entered the local primary school and several houses in the village, turning multiple roads into streams. District administration teams have been deployed to restore connectivity and provide relief to affected residents.