17 people die, thousands evacuated in Telugu states

HYDERABAD: At least 17 people have died and thousands evacuated in Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Telangana as rain continues to batter the southern states.

Rescue teams and army have been deployed for relief works in rain-affected areas.

In Hyderabad, which has experienced worst rains in 108 years, situation remained grim.

According to reports, people stuck in worst-hit areas were facing shortage of food, drinking water and other essential items. Some non-governmental organisations were distributing food, milk and water packets.

Over 200 apartments in Bhandari Layout in Nizampet on the Hyderabad outskirts remained flooded for the fourth day. Many inmates, majority of them IT professionals, vacated the flats and moved to safe places.

With weather officials forecasting more rains in Telangana, administration remains on alert.

Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has ordered officials to set up control rooms in all the districts to reach out to people with necessary relief.

A team of army personnel today visited some of the worst-hit areas in Alwal in Ranga Reddy district to assess the situation.

According to an official statement issued by the chief minister's office at midnight, a 60-member National Disaster Response Force team has been kept on the standby in the city for necessary rescue operations.

The district administration of Rangareddy, Khammam, Warangal and Medak besides Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation have declared holiday for educational institutions today also.

Yesterday, the Telangana government had said that it has kept two choppers ready to move people from low lying areas in the city, if necessary.