M A I N   N E W S

Depression hits AP coast; 15 dead

Hyderabad, October 28
At least 15 persons died in coastal Andhra Pradesh which was lashed by torrential rains triggered by a depression over the Bay of Bengal that moved past Ongole coast this afternoon after hitting neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

Officials confirmed eight deaths in Nellore district, six in Chittoor and one in Prakasham district. However, unofficial reports put the toll at 20.

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Director K.K. Reddy said in Machilipatnam that the depression now lay near Ongole and would gradually weaken. He said rainfall was likely to occur at many places in south coastal Andhra Pradesh with gales reaching speeds of 55 km per hour likely in the region in the next 24 hours.

Local cautionary signal No. 3 was hoisted at Machilipatnam, Nizampatnam, Krishnapatnam and Odarevu ports.

Five officials, including two Sub-Inspectors, who went on a mission to rescue 500 marooned people in Karlapalem were also trapped after flood waters from the Buckingham canal surrounded the village located between the sea and the canal.

A report from Tirupati said six persons, including four women lost their lives during the past 24 hours in Chittoor district in rain-related incidents.

Collectorate sources said two women and a 16-year-old boy were killed in a wall collapse in Kasuvaripalle. — UNI