AP: Cycloninc storm claims 4, Fakunam exp derails

Hyderabad, Oct 30: Four people were killed in rain-related incidents in Guntur District, even as one coach of the Falaknama express was derailed as heavy rain lashed coastal Andhra Pradesh due to the influence of a deep depression which lay centered at about 50 KM east of Ongole early today.

The system was likely to intensify further and cross the coast between Machilipatnam and Bapatla by forenoon, the Met office said.

One pair of wheels of one coach of the Howrah-Secunderabad Falaknuma Express jumped of the rails between Sirupuram and Pedakurapadu stations of South Central Railway.

However, there were no no injuries or casualties to any passengers and first ten coaches of the train from Kolkata would arrive here at 1330 hrs today and the remaining 10 coaches via Vijayawada at 1730 hrs.

A Guntur report said while a couple died and their four children injured in a wall collapse in Nadendla village, an old woman was killed when the roof of her tiled house collapsed in Narasaraopet Narasaraopet town. A boy was also electrocuted when he came in contact with live wire, the report added.

Railway authorities diverted the Thiruvananthapuram-Hyderabad Sabari express to run via Vijayawada and cancelled three passenger trains following the derailment.

Over 10,000 people were evacuated to 18 relief camps in Guntur and Prakasam Districts as rains claimed two lives in Guntur District.

Disaster Management Additional Commissioner Priayadarshini told UNI here that Control rooms were opened in the two districts.

The District Collectors were overseeing relief operations, she added.

Fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea by weathermen as Gale winds with speed reaching 70 to 80 kmph were likely along and off the coasta areas of Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna, East and West Godavari and Visakhapatnam districts in the next 48 hours.

The sea was likely to be very rough along and off Andhra Pradesh coast.

Tidal waves of one to 1.5 m over and above normal tides were likely.

Squally winds with speed reaching 50 to 60 kmph were likely to occur along and off the coastal areas of Nellore, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts during the period.

Under the influence of the system, widespread rainfall with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places is likely over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and also adjoining districts of south Telangana during next 24 hours. Rains were likely at many places over Rayalaseema and other parts of Telangana.

UNI