Cyclone Nilam Death Toll In AP Rises To Nine

The death-toll due to cyclone "Nilam" related incidents increased to nine on Saturday.

Out of nine reported deaths, three were due to electrocution, three due to collapsed walls, and two people died due to drowning. The cause of one person's death in West Godavari district has not been specified.

Meanwhile, the state government has set up 13 relief camps at three different palces in Prakasam district. Of them, four camps have been set at Ongole, seven at Maddipadu and two at Naguluppalapadu. A total 4,824 people have been accommodated in the camps since November 1. One relief camp has also been set up in East Godavari district.

Crops spread across 1.79 hectares have been inundated due to heavy rains under the impact of cyclone "Nilam". They include 1,79,212 ha of agricultural crops and 21.8 ha horticulture crops. Of them, 69,824 ha agri crops were affected in East Godavari district, 39,710 ha in West Godavari, 36,256 ha is in Krishna, 12,013 ha in Guntur and 21,867 ha in Prakasam district.

In Eluru town of West Godavari heavy inflows were received into Tammileru due to heavy rainfall. Water is now being discharged. The outflows have touched 28,000 cusecs by Saturday evening. In view of this, the district administration has been taking all necessary steps to evacuate people from the low-lying areas in the Eluru town. The irrigation officials have formed teams and are working along with the District Administration in flood duties. Meanwhile, flood routing & moderation is being done at Tammileru Reservoir so as to restrict the maximum flooding at Eluru Town to 30,000 cusecs only. As many as 180 personnel of NDRF, divided into four teams, are being sent to Eluru to provide assistance.

As many as 59 minor irrigation tanks have also been breached due to the heavy rains.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister reviewed the situation with Chief Secretary Minnie Mathew and other senior officials from Visakhapatnam on Saturday morning over the phone, and asked them to make all efforts for the rescue and relief measures by directing respective Collectors. He directed the Chief Secretary to closely monitor the flood and heavy rains situation in the state due to the recent Nilam cyclone, particularly in West Godavari and Krishna Districts.

Meanwhile, the cumulative rainfall received in the districts due to Nilam Cyclone from November 1 to 3 is as follows: Khammam - 170.5 mm; Srikakulam 111.1 mm; Vizianagaram - 154.4 mm; Visakhapatnam - 139.8 mm; East Godavari - 146.9 mm; West Godavari - 165.1 mm; Krishna 224.1 mm; Guntur 171.6 mm; Prakasam - 171.9 mm; S.P.S.Nellore 100.8 mm and Chittoor - 68.1 mm.

A Control Room with the telephone numbers 040-23456005/23451043 and FAX 040-23451819 have been functioning round the clock in the State Secretariat. (INN)