Cyclone Nilam aftermath: 22 dead in Andhra Pradesh, more rain likely in 24 hours

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The disaster management officials say that if the forecast of more rains turns out to be true, more casualties are expected. –Photo taken from IBNLIVE.COM

Hyderabad: Twenty-two people have died in coastal Andhra Pradesh as heavy rains continued to lash the region in the after effect of the Cyclone Nilam. Coastal Andhra Pradesh has been witnessing heavy rainfall over the past 48 hours.

Vishakapatnam, Prakasam, East Godavari and Viziana-garam have received close to 25 cm of rainfall since Saturday. People from low lying areas have been evacuated to relief camps. More rainfall is expected in next 24 hours.

District officials are on alert. “We forecast more rains in the next 48 hours and if the forecast is true more losses and casualties can be expected,” T Radha, Commissioner, Disaster Management, said.

The rainfall on Sunday was such that Narasapur in West Godavari district received a record 31 cms of rainfall in the last 24 hours, followed by 27 cms in Amalapuram, 25 cms in Rajahmundry (both in East Godavari district), 25 cms in Yelamanchili (Visakhapatnam dist), 23 cms in Koderu (West Godavari district).

Standing crops, including paddy, were affected in 2,43,634 hectares. The government has set up 86 relief camps in which about 68,000 people were provided shelter, he said.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy directed chief secretary Minnie Mathew to put all concerned departments on high alert and closely monitor the flood and heavy rains situation. He reviewed the situation with the chief secretary and other senior officials from New Delhi over phone and asked them to make all efforts for relief and rescue measures. He also spoke to collectors of rain-hit districts, a release from the chief minister’s office said.