Hyderabad: At least 45 people were killed as heavy rains lashed several parts of Andhra Pradesh causing extensive damage and disrupting traffic.

Kurnool was the worst affected with 21 people losing lives to the heavy showers. Communication facilities are badly affected and several villages in the district are cut off.

According to an official release issued early this morning, a total of 45 have died to due to rains in the state yesterday. Three persons each died in Guntur, Karimnagar and Kadapa districts, two in Hyderabad and one each died in East Godavari, Prakasham, Srikakulam and Mahaboobnagar, the release said.

The weather office has forecast heavy rainfall in Telanagana, parts of Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema. The District Collectors of Coastal Andhra and Telanagana have been instructed to take necessary precautionary steps in view of the heavy to heavy rains.

The control rooms at the state head quarters, district head quarters and mandal head quarters are opened and functioning round the clock, the release said. Andhra Pradesh State Road Trnasport Corporation (APSRTC) is advised not ply buses in doubtful and dangerous routes with vagus known for flash flood especialy in Guntur and Kurnool districts, the release said.

The army and navy have been alerted to assist in the rescue of people stranded in submerged areas, particularly in Kurnool and Nandyal towns, which are virtually cut-off from the rest of the state.

The Chief Minister cut short his visit to the Delhi and rushed to the city in the evening to monitor the situation as reports of damages due to floods poured in from various districts. Reddy announced an ex gratia of Rs two lakh to the families of those killed in heavy rains.