The Hindu Business Line : Rain wreaks havoc in AP, relief work on

While Vizag and Rajahmundry airports remained closed, flooding of many roads has impacted traffic flow. Even the rail traffic has been hit on some routes.

Hyderabad , Aug. 4

Widespread rain over the last three days has filled up major reservoirs in the State, boosting the prospects of kharif operations while inundating and creating havoc in many districts of the State, particularly in the northern part and in the Telangana region.

In the last 48 hours, some 40 persons are reported to have died due to floods and related incidents.

While Visakhapatnam and Rajahmundry airports remained closed, flooding of many roads has impacted traffic flow. Even the rail traffic has been hit on some routes.

Following a review meeting of the situation on Friday, the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, directed relief and rehabilitation measures and decided to tour parts of the flood-affected districts.

Dr Reddy plans to conduct an aerial survey of the worst-hit northern districts. His visit to these areas has been postponed to Saturday due to inclement weather conditions.

While the rains in the Telangana region of the State and inflow from rains in the neighbouring States has boosted the prospects of the current kharif season, overflowing rivers have adversely affected Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts.

The overflowing river systems in these two districts have inundated many fields and officials have been directed to create protection bunds. The Hirakhand express train was stranded due to landslide on tracks in Paderu area.

Deep depression over the southern coast of Orissa is likely to move in the north-westerly direction and weaken gradually. Under its impact, the State is likely to witness rains over the next 36 hours.

All the minor irrigation tanks have been filled up. In Srikakulam district, 238 villages in 17 mandals have been adversely affected, 1,500 families have been evacuated and 30 relief camps have been organised (where 6,000 people are staying).

Two major reservoirs of Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar are nearly full due to massive inflows from Maharashtra and Karnataka, as a result of which authorities have been to open up the crest gates.

Due to the release of nearly five lakh cusecs of water into Krishna from Nagarjunasagar, the District Collectors of Krishna and Guntur were alerted.