Central team tours flood hit AP, more rains predicted

Hyderabad, Nov 10 (UNI) A Central team today conducted an extensive tour to assess the damage caused by the cyclonic storm 'Ogni,' even as the weatherman predicted more 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 days.

Under the influence of the low level trough over west central Bay of Bengal, light to moderate rain or thundershowers were likely to occur at a few places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh.

Isolated rain or thundershowers were likely over Telangana and Rayalaseema.

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

Team leader Vipin Kumar Saxena along with team member Nalini Pathak visited the marooned Ungutur, Gudlavalleru and Pedana villages in Krishna district and interacted with the people, a report from Vijayawada said.

Deputy Adviser to Rural Development Majumdar and C R Gangadhar, Superintendent of Engineer to shipping visited the flood-affected Chirala town in Prakasam district and stressed the need for modernising the canals and drains, a report from Ongole said.

Kavali, Kakinada, Sompeta( Srikakulam dist) recorded rainfall of 3 CM each, Bheemunipatnam (Visakhapatnam dist), Tiruvuru( Krishna dist) Yerragondapalem (Vizianagaram dist), Tekkali ( Srikakulam dist) 2 each.

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 tomorrow after a meeting with Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.

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.

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