Anantapur Hit by Whirlwinds, Rain Again; Roads Inundated, Power Disrupted

Anantapur: Tornadoes accompanied by rain hit Anantapur city again around 18.30 on Saturday.

The cyclones led to the collapse of a large shed built for the attendants of patients on the Anantapur Government General Hospital premises. Luckily, there was no patient escort in the hut at that time.

Donor Nagabhushan had built the shelter in the memory of former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy for the benefit of attendants accompanying patients from Rayalaseema and parts of neighboring Karnataka.

A security guard on duty at the scene told Deccan Chronicle that several motorcycles parked near the shed were damaged. The security guard said, “The officers had gone outside the hospital to buy food. Otherwise, a major mishap could have occurred.”

The tornadoes knocked down many trees and power poles, causing power outages in several parts of the city. The power line on JNTUA road collapsed after an uprooted tree fell on the wires. A car parked on the roadside was damaged when a tree fell on it.

Due to the rains following the cyclone, many roads, except Road One and Road 6, were flooded in Rajak Nagar, Clock Tower and Ramnagar districts.

Anantapur ADE Chandrasekhar said that efforts are being made to restore power supply in various parts of the city as soon as possible.