Nilam creates havoc in AP, claims 3 lives

  Heavy rains and gale continued to lash Nellore and other districts of Andhra Pradesh close to Tamil Nadu on Wednesday night due to the cyclonic storm 'Nilam.'

The arrival of the cyclone led to rainfall at most places. Heavy to very heavy rainfall would also occur over south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema during the next 48 hours, according to the Met department.
 There were no reports of damage to property till evening, the state Commissioner for Disaster Management said. However, media reports showed damaged huts and uprooted trees at many places.
 Larger-than-usual tidal waves would inundate the low-lying areas of Nellore district, the sources added.
 The cyclone was expected to cause minor damage to power and communication lines, and also to the standing rice and groundnut crops.
 The government has set up control rooms at the Secretariat here and at the district and division level. Senior IAS cadres have been posted in 13 coastal mandals as special officers and teams have been kept ready for evacuation in low-lying areas, the Commissioner said.
Late night reports said heavy rains and gale-force winds hit several coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, killing at least three people.
Two fishermen were also reported missing from Pulicat Lake in Nellore, which was affected by Nilam owing to its proximity to the landfall point.
Tidal waves rose to 12 feet and water surged 100 metre inland near Isukapalli in Nellore district.
Of all the places, Srikalahasti in Chittoor received the highest rainfall of 11.5 cm.

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