Rain toll mounts to 25, CM visits cyclone-hit areas

Hyderabad, Nov 2 (UNI) Even as the death toll in rain-related accidents rose to 25, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara today visited the flood-affected in the coastal region, cancelling his meeting with UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi.

About two lakh people were evacuated to 511 relief camps as the situation continued to be alarming, Disaster Management Assistant Commissioner Priyadarshini told UNI.

In Krishna district alone, more than 1.15 lakh people were shifted to safer areas.

Two people, one each in Krishna and Guntur districts were killed in rain-related incidents, she said.

Under the influence of a 'low pressure trough' along the coast, the coastal region continued to receive heavy rains for the fifth day today, inundating agricultural fields in over 10 lakh acres.

The Chief Minister, who could not helihop to the affected areas yesterday, toured the worst-hit Chirala in Prakasam district.

Dr Reddy, who proceeded to waterlogged Karamachedu, assured the farmers of redressal of grievances and announced a compensation at the rate of Rs 750 per acre and subsidy for seeds for raising fresh crops.

Additional medical teams with sufficient medicines were rushed to Krishna District as rains continued unabated in the Deviseema region, swelling the world famous fresh water Kolleru lake.

Meanwhile, farmers themselves plugged a breach to campbell canal to save paddy crops worth Rs two crore in Kaikaluru in the district.

UNI SM VV CD DS1145