Date:25/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/25/stories/2007062551200600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Kurnool limping to normality

State facing another cyclone threat; toll rises to 37

HYDERABAD:

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh is faced with the threat of another cyclone even as the flood and rain-battered areas are limping to normality in the aftermath of the heavy rain caused by the deep depression.

The toll rose to 37 with five more casualties reported from the affected districts on Sunday. Seven persons, reported missing either in the rough sea or the swollen streams, have not been traced.

A low pressure system is now developing in the Bay of Bengal, threatening to intensify into a deep depression by Tuesday and move towards the coast. Although India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicated that Orissa might be the main target of the fresh system, Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy kept all the coastal districts on alert, without taking any chance, fearing the worst.

“The Government is on its toes to meet any situation,” he said at a press conference here. The IMD issued a heavy rainfall warning, valid for Monday, only to Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts.

Rain continued over the State for the third day on Sunday but on a low scale with Visakhapatnam recording the State’s highest at 12 cm, and sparing Rayalaseema.

The Chief Minister made an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas and visited the worst-hit Kurnool-Nandyal belt amid protests from the affected families against official indifference and non-supply of relief.

Kurnool and Nandyal are limping back to normality with the Tungabhadra, Hundri and Kundu receding. However, 54,000 people remained at relief camps. The Chief Minister announced a relief package with enhanced compensation against damaged houses.

Trains services have been restored all over, except in Nandyal section where a portion of track got washed away. Similar is the case with the bus services for which breached roads and tanks continued to be a hurdle at some spots.

The relief camps in Kadapa, Anantapur, Prakasam and Guntur districts have been closed as the affected families returned to their houses.