In Andhra Pradesh, with two persons washed away in flood waters, seventeen persons are feared killed in torrential rains. Massive evacuation of people from low lying areas is underway in the coastal districts, especially in Srikakulam, Guntur, Visakhapatnam, Prakasam and East Godavari. Normal life has been badly hit due to very heavy rain that is lashing several parts of the state under the influence of low pressure in the Bay of Bengal and the North-East monsoon.

State Disaster Management authorities have told our correspondent that 135 relief camps have been opened in the coastal districts and over 67 thousand people from low lying areas have been shifted to safer locations, so far.

Meanwhile, major rivers including Godavari, Krishna and Vamsadhara are in spate due to incessant rain since the past four days. A total of 2.12 lakh cusecs of water is being released from the Prakasam barrage across the River Krishna in Vijayawada and Dhavaleswaram barrage across the River Godavari at Rajhamundry into the sea. Road and rail transport systems have been badly hit in the coastal districts. Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy has directed concerned district authorities to take up relief operations on a war footing.