Death toll in AP floods rises to 131, major rivers in spate

Hyderabad, Aug 17 (UNI) The death toll in floods in Andhra Pradesh rose to 131 with the death of one more person, while major rivers, including the Godavari, continued to rise following fresh spell of rains under the influence of a depression today.

Ahead of the visit of a central team, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy held a review meeting with senior state officials as the Godavari rose above the first danger level to touch 46.5 ft in the temple town of Bhadrachalam.

A flood alert was issued to the people living on the banks of major rivers, including Godavari, Krishna, Nagavalli and Vamsadhara following heavy rains in the catchment areas, Diaster Management Commissioner Priti Sudan told UNI.

Close on the heels of the visit of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, a Central team headed by Union Home Joint Secretary Vipin Kumar Saxena arrived here tonight for an aerial survey and interaction with the officials of flood-hit districts for the next three days.

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