Rain lashes Andhra Pradesh; death toll rises to 36

Heavy rain for the last three days claimed 21 lives in Andhra Pradesh.

Revenue Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao told mediapersons on Wednesday that six districts had been badly affected due to the heavy rains in the last three days.

The death toll of 21, included seven each in Kurnool and Guntur, four in Anantapur, two in Warangal and one in Mahbubnagar.

Another 15 persons were killed as lightning struck them in different parts of the state since last month, taking the overall toll to 36.

"These deaths are not related to the rain toll, but the government has also announced ex-gratia (compensation) of Rs 1 lakh each to the families of these victims also," he added.

The minister said that the families of those who died due to rains and thunderbolt would be paid ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 under Apathbandhu group insurance scheme and another Rs 50,000 from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

In all, 48 villages in 27 mandals were affected by the rain havoc and 4,390 families were shifted to safer places and lodged in 29 relief camps in Kurnool, Anantapur, Warangal, Karimnagar, Guntur and Prakasam districts. As per preliminary reports, 7,357 houses were damaged and crops over an area of 16,581 hectares were submerged.

The state government released Rs 15 lakh to Kurnool, Rs 10 lakh to Karimnagar, Rs 5  lakh each to Guntur, Warangal and Anantapur and Rs 2 lakh each to Nalgonda and Kadapa districts for taking up immediate relief measures.

Besides, an amount of Rs 5 crore has been sanctioned for Roads and Buildings Department and Rs 10 lakh for municipal administration department.

There is a well-marked low pressure off Machilipatnam up to Chennai and due to this heavy-to-very-heavy rains are likely in southern coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema and Telangana area in the next 48 hours. Light-to-moderate rains are likely in rest of  the state.

"The collectors of the districts concerned are alerted to take steps to prevent any loss of life, livestock or property. The collectors were told to continuously monitor the situation in the low-lying areas and be ready to evacuate people in case of more heavy rains and inundation," the minister said.

Earlier, Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy reviewed the situation. Commissioner of Disaster Management Preeti Sudan and other senior officials attended the meeting.