Heavy rains kill 21 in Andhra Pradesh

HYDERABAD, India, Monday (Reuters) - Torrential rains have killed 21 people and rendered thousands homeless in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, officials said on Monday.

Senior government official D.C. Rosaiah said 15 people died in Nellore district and six in Chittoor due to drowning, electrocution and house collapses. "We have pressed navy boats and army personnel to attend to relief work now that the rains have stopped," he said.

Officials said nearly 30,000 people living in low-lying areas had been shifted to relief camps following the rains, which also caused breaches in minor irrigation tanks.