Heavy rains hit 200 villages in Andhra

Eight National Disaster Response teams have been deployed in Khammam, Warangal, Adilabad and Karimnagar

With the flood situation in most parts of Andhra Pradesh still being very grim, the state government has initiated relief and rehabilitation works on a war-footing in nine rain-hit districts by pressing into service two Indian Air Force helicopters. The death toll in floods and rain-related incidents had gone up to 14 in the state.

According to reports, over 200 villages have been severely affected by the incessant rains and over 15,000 people have so far been shifted to rehabilitation camps set up in various districts. Also, eight NDR (National Disaster Response) teams have been deployed in Khammam, Warangal, Adilabad and Karimnagar for rescue and relief operations.

In East Godavari district, where the local administration had already issued a second flood alert on Saturday, over 1.7 million cusec water was discharged to sea as Godavari river at Dowleswaram near Rajahmundry was receiving heavy inflow due to rain in the catchment areas.

Meanwhile, following the recommendations by district collectors, the State Election Commission has postponed the Panchayat elections in Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Khammam, Warangal and East Godavari. These were scheduled to be held on July 31.