Hyderabad, Nov 2 (IANS): Heavy rain continued to lash Andhra Pradesh for the third consecutive day Friday, damaging crops and affecting normal life.

Rain under the impact of cyclone Nilam, which weakened into a depression after crossing the coast near Chennai Wednesday, has claimed four lives during the last two days.

Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raghuveera Reddy told reporters here Friday that the incessant rain had so far damaged crops over 77,000 hectares. He said 30 houses were also damaged.

Normal life was thrown out of gear in Hyderabad as heavy rain continued for the second day. Roads were inundated, leading to huge traffic jams in the busy areas of Khairatabad, Tank Bund, Basheerbagh, Abids, Koti and Lakdi Ka Pul.

Many people preferred to remain indoors. According to the met office, the state capital received four cm of rainfall during the last 24 hours.

Met officials said the torrential rain was caused by a depression, which also triggered the northeastern monsoon.

Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre has forecast more rain in coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema and Telangana over the next 24 hours.