Date:22/09/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/09/22/stories/2005092202431900.htm

Back AP seeks Rs 1,200-cr flood relief
1.5 lakh evacuated in ten districts; toll mounts to 58

Our Bureau

The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, having food at a relief camp in Vijayawada, while listening to a woman on Wednesday.

Hyderabad , Sept 21

THE State Government has sought assistance to the tune of Rs 1,200 crore from the Centre to tide over the huge losses wrecked by the heavy rains and floods across the State.

The Governor, Mr Sushil Kumar Shinde, presented a memorandum on behalf of the Government to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, at Tirupati today. Dr Singh visited the SHAR Centre during the day.

The preliminary estimated loss was put at about Rs 1,809 crore. This includes Rs 597 crore in agriculture; Rs 645 crore in irrigation and Rs 441 crore in roads and buildings, the Governor's memo pointed out to the Prime Minister.

Giving these details at a news conference, the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who did an aerial survey of some of the affected districts, said the State had also requested support in the form of rice up to 12.74 tonnes.

The Prime Minister's response was positive. He also promised to provide help from the Prime Minister Relief Fund for the affected. Providing details of the impact, Dr Reddy said that so far 58 deaths have been reported. Ten districts have been affected, 1,50,121 people evacuated, 92,108 houses inundated, 342 mandals and 3,672 villages severely hit and 473 relief camps opened.