Amaravati : , Nov 19, 2012: At least 12 people died and 18 more were reported missing when three buses belonging to Andhra Pradesh Road Transport Corporation were caught in flooding in Kadapa on Friday. Rescue crews pulled 12 bodies out and searched for missing Rajampet residents.
Flood waters caused the buses to become stuck in Mandpalle and Akepadu villages.Both the drivers and passengers had been climbing on top of buses.
Some were saved by locals, but 30 were believed to have been washed away.
An RTC bus close to Nandaluru was found with three bodies.
Gundluru was home to seven bodies, while Rayavaram had three.
The Annamayya reservoir was broken in the district, causing floods in nearby villages like Gundluru and Seshamambapuram.
Nandulur and Rajampeta were also flooded by the overflowing river.
A chopper from the Indian Air Force (IAF) was able to lift 10 people who were stranded at Chitravathi in Anantapur’s Chitravathi district.
After local authorities had failed to rescue flood-stricken people, the helicopter was forced into service.
According to police, the operation was also carried out by personnel of National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Revenue, Fire Service, and swimmers.
Under the effects of depression, heavy rains fell on Nellore and Chittoor districts, Kadapa, Kadapa, and Anantapur districts Friday morning.The storm surged between Puducherry, Chennai and north Tamil Nadu, and reached the coasts of south Andhra Pradesh.
The three districts had low-lying regions that were inundated, while streams, rivulets and tanks overflowed.
Normal life has been disrupted by the torrential downpour.
All schools in affected areas have been declared closed by the authorities.
Three special officers have been appointed by the state government to oversee rescue operations and aid efforts in Nellore and Chittoor districts.
On Friday, several areas in Tirupati’s temple city were still under water.The town was ravaged by heavy rains that fell on Thursday.
Chief Minister Y.S.Jagan Mohanreddy will perform an aerial survey in flood-prone areas Saturday.
After reviewing the situation with respective district collectors, the Chief Minister will address areas that have been affected by heavy rainfalls, including Kadapa and Chittoor.
For the purpose of surveying flood-affected areas, he will depart Vijayawada’s Gannavaram Airport and fly to Kadapa.He will return via Renigunta Airport in Tirupati.
ms/pgh
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