Death toll mounts to 19, all departments alerted in AP

Hyderabad, Aug 9 (UNI) The death toll in torrential rains and other rain related incidents in Andhra Pradesh rose to 19 today even as the state government alerted the respective district administrations and all departments to take up relief measures and prevent loss of lives.

According to official sources here, seven people were killed in Hyderabad, three each in Medak and West Godavari and two each in Krishna, Nalgonda and Ranga Reddy districts.

Speaking to mediapersons after reviewing the flood situation with the officials concerned, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy said Rs one lakh ex-gratia was sanctioned to the family members of the victims.

Control rooms had been up in all the affected district headquarters to take stock of the situation and relief measures, he said.

Directing the District Collectors that funds were no constraint for providing relief to the affected people, he exhorted the people not to stay in dilapidated houses and travel on overflowing rivulets.

Crops were damaged in hundreds of acres due to flash floods in the villages as rivulets, ponds and streams were overflowing. Low lying areas were completely innundated in many parts of the state.

Tourism boats were pressed into service in the capital city to evacuate the stranded people whose houses were filled with knee-deep water.

The state Health and Medical department formed teams to prevent outbreak of any epidemic in the districts by distributing preventive drugs.

UNI AP VA AM BD1550