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70 die as rains continue to lash Andhra

At least 70 people have died as a result of unabated rains in Andhra Pradesh, an official spokesman said on Thursday.

Government spokesman Vijay Kumar said rains lashed several parts of the coastal districts and left a trail of death and destruction.

"At least 70 people have been killed by heavy cyclonic rains in Andhra Pradesh in the last 48 hours. The casualty figures are expected to go up as there is no sign of a let-up in the rains," said Kumar.

"Thousands have also been rendered homeless as their houses have been flattened by the high-speed winds and driving rain," he added.

The cyclonic rains have been triggered by a low-pressure depression in the Bay of Bengal some 100 kilometres (62 miles) off the coast between the cities of Kakinada and Vishakapatnam.

"The depression is expected to blow overland on Thursday bringing more rains to the coastal Kakinada district. We have issued warnings to everyone and asked schools and colleges to be closed," said Kumar.

Officials said several rivers in the region were flowing well above the danger mark. On Wednesday, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had informed the state assembly that Guntur district was the worst hit area.

Indian Navy helicopters have been pressed into service to help with the relief and rescue operations and nearly 2,000 people have been evacuated from low lying areas.

EARLIER REPORTS
AP flood toll rises to sixty
Floods claim 17 in Andhra Pradesh

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