Cyclone toll in Andhra mounts to 45

The toll due to the cyclone that lashed the south Andhra Pradesh coast has mounted to 45, with Krishna district accounting for 24 deaths, State Relief Commissioner Asutosh Mishra said on Wednesday.

Most of the deaths occurred due to cold weather while some persons died due to wall/roof collapses, etc, he said.

Four persons were killed in a boat capsize while another person was drowned, he added.

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Guntur and West Godavari districts accounted for eight deaths each, followed by East Godavari (five), Mishra said.

Two persons -- in Krishna and East Godavari districts -- were missing.

The storm, which was accompanied by gales reaching speeds of 120kmph and tidal waves one to two metres high, left behind a trail of destruction. Infrastructure, public and private properties and crops suffered extensive damage.

He said the affected families would be given assistance of Rs 1,000 for fully damaged houses and Rs 500 for partially damaged houses, apart from Rs 250 each for purchase of clothes and utensils. Each affected family was also given 20kg of free rice.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu visited the affected areas on Wednesday and assured all help to the affected families.

The families of those who died would be given Rs 50,000 under the Apathbandhu (insurance) scheme or from government funds, he added.