New Delhi, Oct 6 : The armed forces have rescued over 2,000 people from the flood ravaged states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, officials said Tuesday.

The rescue efforts have been intensified with the armed forces continuing to deploy more personnel for the mission.

"Over 2,200 people have been rescued by the armed forces in the flood-hit states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The army, air force and navy personnel continue to be deployed for rescue and relief operations," a defence official said.

Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and other neighbouring states of Goa and Maharashtra Oct 1 were hit by floods following torrential rains under the influence of a low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal.

A large number of towns and villages were either submerged or inundated by waters from the Krishna, Tungabhadra and Don rivers.

"The army has deployed nearly 1,400 people along with two medical teams in the states. More than 4.5 tonnes of rations have been distributed by the army to the marooned people," he added.

The navy has deployed five teams for relief operations in Vijayawada and three teams in Kurnool districts of Andhra Pradesh. Two Chetak naval helicopters are also engaged in relief operations in Vijayawada.

In Karnataka, the navy has deployed two diving teams in Uttar Kannada district and a team of 32 men, including three paramedics, is engaged in landslide rescue operations near Karwar.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) in one of its biggest rescue operations so far has deployed 29 aircraft and helicopters, including seven Chetaks and 10 MI-8s, for rescue and relief operations. These aircraft have already carried out 255 sorties and dropped a huge quantity of food packets in the affected areas.(IANS)