Cyclone toll mounts to 35; Patil to make aerial survey

Hyderabad, Nov 6 (UNI) Even as Union Home Minister Shivraj V Patil is scheduled to visit flood-hit Andhra Pradesh tomorrow, the death toll rose to 35 with four more deaths reported, while the Army and Navy were still involved in rescue and relief operations.

Two naval helicopters, 10 boats and two naval diving teams were deployed in marooned villages to rescue the people, Disaster Management Assistant Commissioner Priyadarshini told UNI.

The state would seek immediate Central assistance of Rs 1450 crore from Mr Patil, who would aerially survey worst-hit Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam districts and view a photo-exhibition here before leaving for New Delhi, Revenue Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao told mediapersons.

Enumeration was incomplete as water had not fully receded from the flood-hit areas.

Over 1.94 lakh people were still housed in 370 relief camps and 5955 tonne rice and 176.52 litre kerosene was distributed as the flood situation had not yet eased in 77 mandals, the official said.

Prakasam district accounted for a maximum of 14 deaths, followed by Guntur (11), Krishna (6), West and East Godavari two each.

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