Central team arrives as more rains are predicted

Hyderabad, Nov 9 (UNI) A six-member Central team arrived here today to assess the damage caused by the cyclonic storm 'Ogni,' even as weathermen forecast a fresh bout of heavy rains in the flood-ravaged coastal Andhra Pradesh under the influence of a new system in the Bay of Bengal in the next two to three days.

The toll rose to 38 with the death of one more person reported from the worst-hit Prakasam district, Disaster Management Assistant Commissioner Priyadarshini told UNI.

Under the influence of a low pressure trough over west central Bay of Bengal, rain or thundershowers were likely at many places over coastal Andhra Pradesh during the next 24 hours. Isolated heavy rains were also likely at a few places over the coastal regions during the same period, a report from Visakhapatnam stated.

The seven-member Central team headed by Vipin Kumar, Joint Secretary, Union Home Ministry, branched out into four teams to visit the flood-hit Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna and Warangal districts.

The visit was a follow-up to the aerial survey of the worst-hit south coastal districts on November seven by Union Home Miniser Shivraj V Patil. The team would return to New Delhi on November 11.

Putting the flood damage at Rs 7,083 crore, the state Government had pressed for a Central assistance of Rs 6191 crore, including Rs 5,000 crore for modernisation of Krishna and Godavari deltas.

Visakhapatnam recorded a high amount of rainfall at 12 cm followed by Bheemunipatnam 9, Pakala 7, Komarada and Salur 4 each, Machilipatnam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam Airport 3 each.

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