The toll in the cyclonic storm induced torrential rains in parts of Andhra Pradesh rose to 78 even as the situation in the flood-ravaged areas was fast returning to normalcy. Cuddapah accounted for 33 deaths, Kurnool 18, Chitttor 5, Nellore 12, Anantapur four and Guntur six, official sources said.
The State Relief Commissioner D C Rosaiah told reporters that 26 people, including 14 in Cuddapah, three in Kurnool, one in Nellore and eight in Guntur, were still missing and efforts were on to trace them. However, the situation in the flood-hit areas is now fast returning to normalcy as the rains have stopped, paving way for speedy distribution of relief and succour to the victims, he said.
Relief operations are in full swing with two army helicopters assisting in airdropping food packets to a total of 56, 700 persons sheltered in 112 relief camps in the affected districts, Rosaiah said. The inflows into Somasila and Buggavanka reservoirs in Nellore and Cuddapah, which breached inundating several areas in the two districts causing huge loss to life and property, also has reduced considerably, the commissioner said. Bureau Report