Heavy rains claim two lives in Andhra Pradesh

Visakhapatnam: Heavy rains claimed two lives, while a cargo ship was swept away to the shore in Vizag city on Tuesday.

G Devi, 58, was killed when her car was washed away by flood-waters at Gannavaram Metta on Narsipatnam-Tuni road in Vizag district. Three others in the car managed to escape. They have been identified as Archana, Deepak, and driver Venkatesh.

The incident took place when the car was en route to Tirupati from Narsipatnam on Tuesday morning.

In another incident, heavy rains triggered landslides at Indrakeeladri. Heavy boulders rolled through a house leaving a man dead at Nalugu Stambala Centre in Vidyadharapuram area of the city.

Police rushed to the spot and extricated him from the debris. He was rushed to the hospital but he was declared brought dead by the doctors. A team of 15 police personnel from Bhavanipuram police station participated in the rescue efforts.

Meanwhile, due to rough sea and high tide, a 3000-tonne Bangladeshi cargo vessel MV Maa drifted from the anchorage point and ran aground near Tenneti Park Beach in Vizag city in the wee hours on Tuesday

The empty ship came to Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) to load cargo and was waiting near the anchorage point for the past few days for berthing itinerary.

The ship had just one anchor and this was not informed to the port authorities. Due to the persisting deep depression over the bay, the sea had been very rough over the last two days, and due to which the ship lost another anchor.

Due to the strong gales, the 80-meter-long ship carrying about 15 crew members drifted towards the shore and ran aground near Tenneti Park, located on the northern edge of the port limits.

Port authorities have informed the police, Coast Guard, shipping agents, and other concerned authorities for necessary action. The Indian Navy and Coast Guard will launch the salvage operation.