Heavy rains wreak havoc in Andhra; 17 dead

Heavy rains continued to lash Andhra Pradesh today, leaving 17 people dead and forcing the evacuation of 67,419 others from low-lying areas.
Seventeen people were killed in various rain-related incidents as the downpour continued for the fourth consecutive day today even as two others were also missing, official sources said here.
They said 135 relief camps have been set up in the coastal districts, which bore the brunt of the rain fury.
Standing paddy, maize, cotton, redgram and crops were inundated in about 2.5 lakh hectares.
As heavy rains led to submergence of low-lying areas and also overflowing of several rivers, rivulets and other water bodies, nine teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed for rescue and relief work.

The sources said 3050 houses suffered damages and 110 cattle also perished due to the rains.