Rosaiah conducts aerial survey of cyclone-hit districts in Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh chief minister K Rosaiah today conducted an aerial survey of Prakasam, Guntur and Krishna districts to assess the damage after cyclone 'Laila' hit the state coast leaving a trail of disaster.

Accompanied by revenue minister D Prasada Rao, Rosaiah
inspected the water-logged Ongole, Addanki and other towns in
Prakasam district and also the affected parts in Guntur and
Krishna districts.

Talking to newsmen at Gannavaram airport near Vijayawada, Rosaiah said full-scale enumeration of the damages suffered, particularly by the agricultural sector, would be undertaken soon to estimate the exact extent of loss.

He said loss of lives and property could be minimised to a great extent, despite the cyclonic storm being so devastating, because of sustained efforts of the entire administration machinery.

Meanwhile, the toll due to cyclonic storm has now been put at 21 though the government announced yesterday that 23 persons died in six districts of Andhra Pradesh.

An official communique from the State Disaster Management Department today said number of deaths in Krishna district was only four and not seven as reported yesterday. 

The toll in Prakasam district, however, went up to six from five reported yesterday, the release said. 

Three persons who were reported missing from Krishna and East Godavari districts for the last two days still remained untraced.