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Hyderabad, Dec 30 (IANS) Heavy rain accompanied by strong gale lashed south coastal Andhra and Chittoor district of Rayalaseema region under the impact of severe cyclone Thane which hit the coast between Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Friday morning. Parts of Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur and Chittoor districts have been receiving rain since the morning, officials said. Two villages of Kandriga block in Chittoor district have been inundated. There were reports of strong gales uprooting trees in the coastal areas. High tidal waves continued to slam the coast. Sea water entered into houses near Suryalanka coast in Guntur district. Chittoor, Tirupati and other towns in Chittoor district received heavy rain since early morning. Authorities have declared a holiday for all educational institutions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast rain at most places in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema over the next 24 hours. All nine coastal districts, particularly south coastal districts and Chittoor are on alert. Four senior IAS officials were deputed to Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur and Chittoor districts to supervise rescue and relief operations. Authorities have evacuated people from some coastal and low-lying villages. Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, who is currently in New Delhi, reviewed the situation with revenue minister Raghuveera Reddy and chief secretary Pankaj Dwivedi over phone.
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