Hyderabad, Nov 3 (IANS): Floods in Andhra Pradesh triggered by cyclone 'Nilam' and north-west monsoon inundated villages and caused widespread damage to crops Saturday, officials said.

Over 100 villages were cut off and A few towns including Vijayawada faced inundation as heavy rains continue to lash coastal Andhra Pradesh and parts of Telangana region for the fourth consecutive day.

Rivulets, tanks and reservoirs were overflowing in eight districts, where normal life was hit. Rains claimed eight lives and damaged crops over 77,000 hectares during last four days.

Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Vijaynagaram, Khammam and Adilabad districts received heavy rains.

After crossing the coast near Chennai Wednesday, the cyclone left a trail of destruction.

The death toll rose to eight Saturday with three people in Khammam district and one in Krishna district drowning while crossing overflowing streams.

Vijayawada in Krishna district is facing inundation as the Budameru stream, which passes through the town, is in spate.

With water levels rising sharply in Prakasam Barrage across Krishna river, the officials opened all its 70 gates. Vijayawada railway division cancelled and diverted several trains.

Krishna district in south coastal region received 22 cm rainfall during last 24 hours. Several places in the affected districts received over 10 cm rainfall, officials said.

There was extensive damage to paddy crop in East and West Godavari districts, the rice bowl of the state. Cotton and groundnut crops were damaged in Guntur, Khammam and other districts.

Revenue Minister Raghuveera Reddy Friday said rains damaged crops over 77,000 hectares but the extent of damage is likely to over 300,000 hectares.

Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy directed officials to monitor the situation and take necessary steps to evacuate people.

Eluru town in West Godavari district is facing flooding from Tammileru River. At least 40 villages in the district were cut off due to floods.

District Collector G. Vanimohan said rescue teams of the Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were reaching the district.

Some colonies in Rajhamundry town were inundated. All gates of Pampa reservoir, an irrigation project in the district, were opened due to heavy inflows from upstream. Low-lying areas were inundated in Amlapuram town in East Godavari district.

Revada reservoir in Visakhapatnam district was breached, inundating crops over hundreds of acres.

The Beheemli port building near Visakhapatnam collapsed due to heavy rains. No casualties were reported.

Fourteen villages in Kottapatnam mandal of Prakasam district were marooned.

Hyderabad, which received heavy rains on Thursday and Friday, got a respite Saturday.