In Andhra Pradesh, with two washed away in flood waters, the death toll due to torrential rains went up to 15. 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 North-East monsoon. The state Disaster Management authorities 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 River Krishna in Vijayawada and Dhavaleswaram barrage across 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 directed concerned district authorities to take up relief operations on war footing. Our correspondent reports that massive rescue and relief operations have been launched in rain affected districts of Andhra Pradesh. Normal life has been severely hit due to the downpour for the past four days especially in Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, Guntur, Prakasam and east and West Godavari districts.
People from low lying areas have been advised to go to safer locations as thousands of villages and residential colonies in urban areas are marooned. Official reports say that more than three thousand houses were damaged due to continuous rainfall rendering many people homeless. So far 67 thousand people are taking shelter in relief camps. About 10 teams of the National Disaster Response Force have been sent to affected areas to carry out rescue operations.
District officials who are on leave have been called back to duties for smooth relief work. Road and rail transport has also been hit in several coastal districts as flood water is flowing over tracks and has breached highways at several places. Farmers suffered unimaginable losses as crops like paddy, maize, cotton and soybean in over three lakh hectares were damaged.
