Andhra Floods Toll Rises To 25

The floods in the coastal Andhra region have led to the death of 25 persons so far, with 4 missing, 5 injured grievously and 9,694 houses damaged.

As many as 110 relief camps have been set up in East and West Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Nellore and Prakasam districts.

The State machinery has been geared up to meet any eventuality in the flood-affected districts in the rain-ravaged region.

Talking to media persons on Wednesday, Chief Minister K Rosaiah stated that the people had been asked to take precautions to avoid the spread of diarrhoea and other water-borne diseases by drinking contaminated water.

Rosaiah revealed that the government had pressed 34 medical teams into service. So far, 15 boats have been deployed in East Godavari district and 27,676 persons have been evacuated.

Rosaiah said that damages to farm and horticulture were extensive, and added that road length of 11,767 km has been damaged, 234 tanks breached and 3626 handloom pits were damaged. Agriculture crops to the extent of 2,83,566 hectares have been damaged and 87,390 hectares of crops were submerged.

The Chief Minister directed the Irrigation and Panchayat Raj officers to monitor the situation and avoid further breach of tanks.

Rosaiah had earlier reviewed the the situation with Revenue Minister, Chief Secretary and officers of revenue, roads and buildings, agriculture, horticulture, medical and health and police departments.

The Civil Supplies Department was directed to move the essential commodities to the affected mandals in the coastal areas.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also asked the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister to provide assistance under the National Calamity Contingency Fund.

The government has also alerted the army and National Disaster Response Force for helping the needy, if necessary.

The ministers concerned were also asked to visit the coastal areas for supervision of relief works.

Courtesy: INN