Hailstorm, Gales Wreak Havoc in Kadapa

Kadapa: Hailstorm accompanied by strong winds caused widespread damage in parts of Kadapa district on Tuesday evening, affecting Proddatur, Kamalapuram and Maidukur constituencies.

At Pandillapalli in Kamalapuram constituency, at least six electric poles were uprooted, disrupting power supply to several villages. Electricity officials took up restoration works.

In Proddatur, residents reported a 20-minute spell of rain accompanied by hailstones, worsening the damage.

The weather disturbance comes days after similar conditions affected Kurnool, Kadapa and Nandyal districts, causing heavy losses to banana and papaya crops.

Farmers said strong winds also triggered large-scale fruit drop in mango orchards. “Almost all the fruits have fallen due to the gusty winds,” said farmer N. Keshava Reddy from Pulivendula.