79 Dead as Torrential Rains Lash Karnataka, Andhra
In the wake of torrential rains and resultant flooding, at least 55 people have died and over 16, 000 houses been damaged in 10 districts of Karnataka.
The heavy rains caused flooding in the the Krishna, Ghataprabha and Malaprabha rivers affecting ten districts, of them, Bijapur and Bagalkot are worst affected.
The scenario is dismal in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh as well where 16 people died as heavy rains lashed the state for the second consecutive day on Thursday.
Many low lying areas in Mahbubnagar and Karnool districts have been inundated.
Stranded in an overflowing stream in Mahboobnagar, fourteen students were rescued on Friday morning. On Thursday, Indian Air Force was called in to rescue five students trapped in the same area.
So far, 270 mm rainfall has been recorded in Mehboobnagar since Wednesday while Kurnool has recorded between 150 to 220mm of rainfall. Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir’s 26 floodgates have been opened and in Srisailam all the 11 gates have been opened.
The overflowing water of Krishna and Tungabadhra rivers go into the two reservoirs. There is a fear of inundation of low lying areas due to opening of the floodgates and districts officials have been put on high alert.
The Konkan region in Maharashtra is also reeling under heavy showers. Eight people died in Ratnagiri district when part of a hill caved in and destroyed a house.
