5 killed as heavy rains lash AP

Five persons were killed in rain-related incidents in Andhra Pradesh today as heavy rains lashed several parts of the state.
Four persons died in Karimnagar district, while one man was killed in Hyderabad, official sources said.
Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, who is on a visit to Delhi, reviewed the situation with ministers and Chief Secretary P K Mohanty, they said.
Reddy asked ministers Danam Nagender and P Balaraju and others to visit the flood-affected areas and supervise relief measures.
Following directions from the Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary reviewed the situation with officials concerned and directed various departments to take necessary steps to help the affected people, sources said.

During the south-west monsoon (as on today), the state has already received 210.6 mm rainfall as against the normal 172.9 mm.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in some places in the next 48 hours in all coastal districts and some places in Telangana and Rayalaseema districts, sources said.
District Collectors have been told to be alert and evacuate people in low-lying areas to safer places like cyclone shelters and school buildings.
Heavy rains threw normal life out of gear as it resulted in water logging at a number of places in Hyderabad and other cities and towns of the state.

Reports reaching here said low-lying areas have been inundated at some places and water bodies have been breached at few others.