Godavari floods claim 13 lives in Andhra

HYDERABAD - The incessant rains and floods in Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh during the last four days have claimed 13 lives and damaged standing crops in over 30,000 hectares, an official said Monday.

The overall food situation in the affected districts barring two Godavari districts improved Monday with flood waters beginning to recede.

The death toll mounted to 13 Monday as officials reported three more deaths. Eight people were killed in rain related incidents in Warangal, three in East Godavari and two in Adilabad.

Over 21,000 people remained in relief camps while relief works are in full swing in 117 mandals in the nine affected districts, according to T. Radha, commissioner for disaster management.

There was considerable improvement in the situation in Khammam district as the water level in Godavari in the temple town of Bhadrachalam fell to 53.9 feet from 59.7 feet and as a result the authorities withdrew the third warning. The water level is still above the danger mark of 53 feet.

However, the third warning signal was hoisted at Dowleswaram in East Godavari district Monday as the water level reached 17.95 feet against the danger level of 17.75 feet.

Due to incessant rains in catchment areas in Maharashtra, the water level in the Godavari rose alarmingly during the last two days, inundating villages along the banks.

The floods have affected 77,000 people in 434 villages. Officials said 515 houses were fully damaged and 1,631 irrigation tanks breached.

Dozens of villages remained inundated in the worst affected districts of Khammam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Adilabad and Warangal.