The Andhra Pradesh Government has initiated fresh relief and rehabilitation works in the nine rain-battered districts by pressing into service two Indian Air Force helicopters.

The death toll in floods has risen to 14 in the State.

According to reports, over 200 villages have been severely affected by the incessant rains and over 15,000 people have so far been shifted to rehabilitation camps set up in various districts. Also, eight National Disaster Response teams were deployed in Khammam, Warangal, Adilabad and Karimnagar for rescue and relief operations. In East Godavari district, where the local administration had already issued a second flood alert on Saturday, over 1.7 million cusec water was discharged into the sea as the Godavari river at Dowleswaram near Rajahmundry received heavy inflow due to rains in the catchment areas.

Meanwhile, the State Election Commission has rescheduled the dates for polls in the flood-affected grama panchayats in the State. The new poll dates will now synchronise with the third phase of the poll and be held on July 31, with the date of counting fixed for the same day after 2.00 pm.

The Chief Secretary has informed that about 100 relief camps are being organised. Air-dropping of food packets was done on Sunday in Bhadrachalam division. Temporary restoration of roads is also being done and a close watch on bunds is being maintained. The district administration has been asked to take preventive measures like storage of sandbags.

Officials informed that as per the forecast the flood level is likely to recede at Bhadrachalam while it will maintain at the same level at Rajahmundry.

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