Godavari in spate, toll mounts to 31

Hyderabad, Sep 19 (UNI) The toll in rain-related incidents rose to 31 as major rivers, including Godavari, rose alarmingly in the wake of unabated heavy rainfall in coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana regions under the influence of a low pressure today.

Karimnagar, where over 3000 people were evacuated, accounted for 15 deaths, followed by Guntur(7), Warangal(5), Khammam(2) and Adilabad and Medak one each, the Andhra Pradesh Government said, announcing an ex-gratia of Rs 1.50 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased.

Due to heavy rains in the catchment areas in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, the level in Godavari alarmingly rose at different places. Second flood Warning level was issued at the temple town of Bhadrachalam with the level going up to 50.3 feet. People from two villages in Khammam district were evacuated. The discharge into the sea was stepped up to 10 lakh cusecs from the Dowleswaram barrage.

The Met office has forcast heavy rains in Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana during the next 24 hours with Low Pressure area persisting.

Strong surface winds from west with speed between 45-50 kmph were likely along and off Coastal Andhra Pradesh, a report from Visakhapatnam quoting the Cyclone Warning Centre said.

Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, who held a tele-conference with the District Collectors, instructed them to take necessary steps to prevent any outbreak of contagious diseases.

Revenue Minister D Prasada Rao and TRS president K Chandrasekara Rao made separate visits to the flood-hit areas.

In Vizianagaram, the aqueduct across Gomukhi river under Vengalaraya Sangaram left branch canal collapsed.

The Collectors were asked to keep a constant vigil on the situation and evacuate people to safter places, wherever necessary, an official release here said.

UNI TEAM SM AK BD1914