Rain fury continues in AP; 12 dead

Hyderabad, Twelve people were killed while another was reported missing in rain-related incidents in Andhra Pradesh.

Four persons drowned in a rivulet in Prakasam district while wall collapse incidents claimed the lives of three persons in Hyderabad, two in Guntur and one each in Kurnool, West Godavari and Vizianagaram districts, a press release from the Chief Minister's Office Thursday said.

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy reviewed the situation with Ministers, Chief Secretary P K Mohanty and other officials concerned.

He asked the officials to launch relief operations in all areas and open relief camps wherever needed.

Disaster Management Commissioner T Radha informed the Chief Minister that 15 relief camps were already opened in Nellore, Prakasam, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram districts where 4611 persons were being housed.

Radha said crops in 2.49 lakh hectares, including paddy in 1.07 lakh ha and cotton in 1.31 lakh ha, were inundated due to heavy rains and floods in the last two days.

Also, 1884 houses were damaged in different districts of the state, including in Telangana. The Disaster Management Commissioner said heavy rains would continue to lash the state in the next 48 hours, particularly in coastal districts.

The Chief Minister, in particular, directed the Medical and Health Department to remain on high alert to prevent outbreak of diseases like malaria, dengue and viral fevers in rain-affected districts. He wanted the Principal Secretary (Health) to obtain reports from the districts on the outbreak of diseases, if any.