68,000 evacuated in Andhra Pradesh after cyclone brings heavy rain

Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from low-lying areas after Cyclone Nilam brought torrential rains across Andhra Pradesh.

According to reports, some 68,000 people have been evacuated to 86 relief camps even as more rainfall is predicted over the next two days.

At least eight districts in the state were affected by incessant rains. East Godavari district is reportedly the worst hit with more than 500 villages marooned, roads and communication lines completely washed away.

Other worst-hit regions include Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, Krishna and Guntur.
The death toll due to the rain and flooding presently stands at 28. Civil Supplies Minister D Sridhar Babu said an assistance of Rs 1.50 lakh would be given to the families of the deceased.

Sources further say that due to heavy rain 5 lakh hectares of crop have been destroyed in the state.

The railways have also suspended all train services between coastal city of Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad.

The downpours were triggered by both Cyclone Nilam that landed in the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu last week and the northeast monsoon.

In Tamil Nadu, the cyclone killed more than 10 people.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Reddy meanwhile has directed the chief secretary and other senior officials to make all efforts for relief and rescue measures.

The Andhra Pradesh state government in a statement said that it had handed out 100,000 food packets.

As many as 28 relief teams comprising 60 divers of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) are engaged in the rain-affected districts of Visakhapatnam and West Godavari, the Asian Age reported.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Reddy and offered all possible central assistance.