130 killed as rains wreck havoc in South India

With incessant rains lashing the southern states -- the Centre has assured assistence in search and rescue operations
as nearly 130 people have died since Wednesday ( September 30), when storms wrecked havoc in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

As the death toll cimbed to 26, the Andhra CM K Rosaiah admitted that the situation was grim. Indian airforce helicopters rescued atleast 20 people. Kurnool and Mahbubnagar distrcits were the worst hit. The government has set up relief camps on the outskirts of Kurnool.

In Karnataka 88 people have died so far, Minister of State for Railways K H Muniyappa has sought immediate intervention of the centre to tackle the flood situation in border areas of the two states. At Mantralya Matt, several pilgrims are reported to be stranded and in need of immidiate help. Mantralaya is located on the AP-Karnataka border.

In Maharashtra, 10 people have died in the Konkan region. The deaths have been reported from the Ratnagiri district which is the worst hit. Areas of kolhapur..Solapur and Satara district have also been affected by torrential rains.

And in heavy rains in Goa have hit rail and air service. The Dabolim airport has been shut down with several flights being diverted due to low visibility in the area. The army has been called in to rescue residents trapped in their houses in the Canacona region in south Goa. Train services were also disrupted aft