Cyclone death toll touches 14

At least 14 persons were killed in the state as a severe cyclonic storm hit the coastal area late last night, leaving behind a trail of death and destruction with Krishna, West Godavari and Guntur districts bearing the brunt of Nature's fury.

Ten persons died in house collapses and heavy rains in Krishna district where about 3,000 people were evacuated from low-lying areas. Torrential rains caused heavy damage to crops and roads.

"The deaths were reported from Machilipatnam, Gudivada and Nujivid divisions and the majority of the victims were old people," said K Prabhakar Reddy, the Krishna district collector. As many as 19 persons, mostly fishermen, are missing in the district.

A record 46 cm rainfall was recorded in Nagayalanka , and paddy and other commercial crops in all the 50 mandals of the district were damaged. Heavy gales uprooted the trees and power lines, causing heavy damage to roads across the coastal Andhra.

"Four persons were killed and about one lakh acre of paddy and other crops were damaged in the district," said Sanjay Raju, the district collector of West Godavari.

"The cyclonic storm crossed Andhra coast between Nagayalanka and Machilipatnam at midnight, uprooting several trees in Machilipatnam and Vijayawada towns, resulting in power breakdown in most the places in the district," Prabhakar Reddy said.

The meteorological office said Machilipatnam recorded 15 cm rainfall during 12 hours since 8.30 pm last evening. Many other places also reported very heavy rains.

"Two old men died in Nagayalanka due to biting cold while another person, who ventured into the sea, was reported missing at Koduru mandal," the district collector said. Due to the incessant rains, there was a sharp fall in temperature in Vijayawada prompting people to remain indoors.

Meanwhile, according to the district authorities, around 2.5 lakh acre of paddy crop sown and harvested might have suffered damage due to the cyclone.

Over 5,000 thatched houses were fully or partially damaged in the district while over 260 power feeder lines were affected in Krishna district.

Apart from 3,000 people evacuated from low-lying areas, about 15,000 people living in thatched houses were shifted to safe places.