25 killed, 17 missing as flash floods ravage Andhra

Amaravati: Heavy rains under the influence of a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal left 25 persons, including a member of the State Disaster Response Force, killed in different districts of Andhra Pradesh since Friday, while 17 persons still remained missing, the state government said on Saturday.

The Indian Air Force, NDRF, SDRF, Police and Fire Services personnel saved at least 64 persons, including a police inspector, from the massive flash floods in Anantapuramu, Kadapa and Chittoor districts, the government said in a note.

In all, 17 teams of NDRF and SDRF were engaged the rescue and relief operations in the three flood-ravaged districts in Rayalaseema region, along with SPS Nellore in south coastal Andhra.

Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy conducted an aerial survey in Kadapa, Anantapuramu and Chittoor districts to assess the damage. He spoke to Collectors of Kadapa and Chittoor districts and obtained details about the devastation and asked the officials to conduct enumeration of the crop losses as soon as the floodwater receded.

The government announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of those killed. The intensity of the rainfall reduced on Saturday, but brought little respite to people as several habitations remained marooned because of the flash floods.

A total of 243 relief camps were opened in the four districts where 20,923 persons evacuated from flood-hit areas were lodged.

South Central Railway General Manager Gajanan Mallya inspected the Nandaluru-Rajampet section where the railway track was washed away under the impact of the flood in Cheyyeru.

The SCR said in a release that track restoration works were going on in full swing.

Meanwhile, at least 10 Express trains have been cancelled on Saturday and Sunday due to flooding of the railway track in the Nellore-Padugupadu section in Vijayawada division. The state government said 1,549 houses, valued at over Rs five crore, were damaged while another 488 houses remained marooned.

Large damage to livestock was also reported as 612 heads of cattle were killed and 3,232 chickens perished. About 1,791 small cattle like sheep and goat were also killed in the deluge, causing a total loss of over Rs 2.31 crore.

Agricultural crops in over 2.33 lakh hectares and horticultural crops in about 20,000 hectares stood damaged, according to government data. Roads now lay completely battered in these districts.

Many culverts, causeways and bridges suffered extensive damage due to the flash floods.