Andhra: 18 lakh people, 400 villages affected

Hyderabad: At least 18 lakh people in nearly 400 villages of Andhra Pradesh have been affected by the floods. 180 villages in Kurnool, 89 in Mahbubnagar, 100 in Guntur and 22 in Nalgonda are in bad shape due to the flood waters.

The death toll is officially over 50, though it is expected to be higher as the administration currently doesn't have spare officials to count the dead. Thousands are reported missing, lakhs are still stranded.

In the Krishna district, police are compelled to use force in evacuating people - especially in Vijayawada town. Though it has finally stopped raining, lakhs of people await evacuation after the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam released 10 lakh cusecs of water on Sunday. The water is expected to flood Vijayawada in by Monday morning.

Authorities have been shifting hundreds of people from low-lying areas to school buildings and temples on higher ground, but the Air Force said the weather was hindering operations. There are at least 2.4 lakh people in 227 relief camps.

550 army men, 6 choppers, 1000 swimmers and 254 boats are involved in the relief work.

Worst-affected districts:

• Kurnool district, including Kurnool town, Mantralayam, Nandyal town

• Mahbubnagar

• Krishna district, including Vijayawada

• Guntur