HYDERABAD, 19 October — The death toll in the rains and floods caused by cyclonic storm in Andhra Pradesh has risen to 40, with another 23 persons reported missing. After a review meeting yesterday afternoon, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said that the deaths occurred in five affected districts — Cuddapah, Kurnool, Anantapur, Nellore and Chittoor. Besides, 14 persons were reported missing in Cuddapah and nine persons in Kurnool district, he added.
Naidu promised the inquiry after visiting the flood-affected areas yesterday and hearing that the Cuddapah district administration had been late in issuing a flood alert.
Ashok Gajapathi Raju, the relief minister in Andhra Pradesh, said: "The responsibility is going to be fixed on the concerned officials."
Raju added that the administration was engaged in the "emergency evacuation" of people living near another large dam because it was feared it could develop minor cracks because of high water pressure.
"Our relief workers are engaged in getting people living near the Somasila dam to safe ground as quickly as possible," said Raju. "With projections of more cyclonic storm rains we have to keep a close watch on the situation and evacuate as many people from low-lying areas as we can.
