Heavy rains triggered by northeast monsoon and a low pressure area over Bay of Bengal lashed several parts of Andhra Pradesh for the fourth consecutive day today, prompting authorities to evacuate thousands of people from low-lying areas.

According to official figures, 12 people have been killed in various rain-related incidents in the state and crops in 2.5 lakh hectares have suffered damages till yesterday.

Low lying areas continued to remain under water in number of towns and villages, particularly in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema.

Hundreds of houses have been damaged due to the rainfall, rendering many people homeless.Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes and shifted to emergency relief camps.