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Authorities warn of floods in Andhra Pradesh

     Vishakhapatnam: Weather officials in Andhra Pradesh, on Thursday warned of a possible flood, as reservoirs in the state were filled up after heavy rains followed a destructive storm. The region had suffered three cyclones within a fortnight in 1977, resulting in over 10,000 deaths, and senior meteorologist JVM Naidu said that people should remain careful till December 15. "In 1977, almost in a matter of three weeks, three cyclones came and within 14 days, left behind a death toll of over 10,000 in Andhra Pradesh alone. Hence, one should be extremely cautious, vigilant, till about December 15, as regards the water reservoir. All the reservoirs in Andhra Pradesh are completely filled up," he said. Earlier, authorities had to evacuate thousands of people from the southeastern coast on October 28 as a storm with winds of 100 kms per hour bore down on them from the Bay of Bengal. The storm follows two weeks of heavy rains and floods, which have left more than 110 people dead in Andhra Pradesh, neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. People living in the coastal villages of Andhra Pradesh have been ordered to move into the government-built shelters inland, an official said. Andhra Pradesh has a history of being hit by cyclones and storms from the Bay of Bengal.