Title - Rains disrupts rail, air traffic in East Godavari district

Rajahmundry(AP), Nov 4, 2012 (PTI) The East Godavari district is witnessing heavy rains for the last three days in the wake of cyclone 'Nilam' which has affected rail, bus and air traffic and power supply in several parts of the district.

Rains continued for the fourth day today also, with the influence of storm. A weather bulletin issued yesterday said rain or thundershowers occurred at many places in Telangana and coastal Andhra Pradesh and would continue at a few places over north coastal Andhra Pradesh during the next 48 hours.

Kakinada was receiving heavy rains while agency areas were also witnessing downpour because of which roads were damaged and bus services suspended.

People living in low-lying areas in Kambalachervu in Rajahmundry, Tuni and Annavaram were shifted to safer places.

Trees were uprooted and electric poles were damaged due to rains on the national highways and as well in the district.

The South Central railway set up various help lines at all important stations between Vijaywada and Visakhapatnam to provide information about train services, keeping in view the cancellation of some trains.

The SCR helpline numbers are: Rajahmundry 0883-2420541, 2420543, Samarlakota 0884-2328824, Tuni 08854-256552, 253555, and Vijayawada 0866-2576796, 257038, 257036, an SCR release said.

Some trains were diverted while a few were stopped due to water on the tracks. Meanwhile, Jet Airways cancelled its Rajahmundry- Bangalore, Rajahmundry-Chennai and Rajahmundry-Hyderabad flights.

State stamps and registration minister Thota Narasimham yesterday visited some of the rain-affected areas.