Sudden incessant hailstorm hits Andhra killing 4 and leaving several stranded

Amaravati, March 31: Around 4 people were killed and nearly 40 were injured in a sudden incessant downpour and hailstorms that hit Vontimitta village here in Kadapa district. Sudden hailstorms have also led to damaging the crops. 

The village, home to the famous Kodandarama Temple, saw sudden rains and hailstorm on Friday night. Trees and electric poles were uprooted, and sheds collapsed, leaving hundreds of people stranded in bad weather

As part of Ram Navami celebrations, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and scores of devotees had gathered to witness 'Srirama Kalyanam' or the marriage ceremony of Lord Ram in the aforementioned temple. However, massive rain and hailstorms hampered the program.

While shelters were in place for devotees attending the ceremony, the heavy downpour caused all shelters and temporary sheds to collapse, thus causing injuries to devotees, and consuming four lives.

However, Kadapa Superintendent of Police (SP) confirmed that chief minister Naidu was not in the temple premises at the time of the mishap.