The deep depression in Bay of Bengal that threatened to strengthen into a cyclone on Friday night lost much of its sting before hitting coastal Andhra Pradesh and triggering heavy rains that claimed ten lives.

Seven persons were killed in the worst-affected Nellore district, bordering Tamil Nadu, and three others died in a house collapse in Chittoor district.

Authorities had evacuated about 20,000 people from low-lying areas in coastal districts of Nellore and Prakasam.

• Chennai breathes easy

The depression, which lay centered about 100 km off Ongole in Prakasam District, hit the coast between Ongole and Bapatla bringing in its wake heavy rains in south coastal belt including Nellore, Prakasam and Guntur.

Forty-six tanks were breached and traffic was paralysed and several trees were uprooted by the time it crossed the Andhra coast and would degenerate further in the next two days.

Special Officers were positioned at all Mandal Headquarters in the vulnerable districts to personally monitor the relief operations.

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