Andhra flood scene improves; toll rises to 63

The death toll in the devastating floods in Andhra Pradesh rose to 63 on Tuesday even as the situation improved and outflows from Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar projects were being reduced gradually. The highest number of 38 deaths were reported in Kurnool district, followed by 20 in Mahabubnagar district, three in Nalgonda and one each in Krishna and Guntur, Revenue Minister D Prasada Rao told media-persons on Tuesday night.

"The impact of reduction in outflows from Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar would be visible from tonight onwards below Prakasam barrage," Rao said. "From around 11 pm, flow below Prakasam barrage is expected to show a receding trend from the peak level of record 10.9 lakh cusec. Present level is 21.6 feet as against 22 feet observed last night," he said.

The government, however, stressed the need to keep a vigil along the flood banks during the receding of water as the soil tends to slip. "The public should continue to patrol, along with officials, each and every meter of the flood bank till water recedes to safe level and observe for any slip on river side, seepage on rear-side, any sign of distress in bund and keepsand bag lorries as standby and torches for night," an appeal made by the government said

"Only continuous patrolling on flood bank would save any further breach and inundation. Patrolling till Wednesday morning is very critical," the appeal said. The Revenue Minister said as many as 16,20,398 people were affected by the floods, which damaged 62,286 houses.

The search and rescue operation involved 805 army personnel, 439 boats, 1,576 swimmers and 19 helicopters. As many as 5,27,172 people were evacuated to safer places and 3,59,799 people taking shelter in 275 relief camps, he said. The government is drafting officials and personnel from other districts and towns to carry out the cleaning operation as the flood-hit areas have become slushy.

Rao said the government would undertake farmer-wise, house-wise enumeration of losses after the clean-up operation is completed in another few days. To a query, he said the government has drawn Rs 420 crore so far under the Calamity Relief Fund. Meanwhile, President Pratibha Patil called up Chief Minister K Rosaiah and inquired about the flood situation and its impact. She conveyed her sympathy for the families of the dead. Rosaiah briefed her about the flood fury, he said.

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee also spoke to the chief minister and offered to ferry the flood relief material by trains free of cost, Rao said. Chief Secretary P Ramakant Reddy said the situation would be normal by Thursday.