The Andhra Pradesh government has sought central assistance of Rs 2,470 crore relief and restoration and 12.74 lakh tonnes of free rice for the flood-affected areas of the state.
Replying to a short discussion in the state assembly on Monday, Revenue Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao said that the state government was hopeful of getting massive central assistance.
An inter-ministerial central team had already visited the state from September 26 to 29 to make an assessment of damages caused due to cyclonic storm-induced heavy rains and floods. The state government had submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his recent visit to the state.
The minister said that the state suffered losses to the extent of Rs 2,698 crore due to the floods and heavy rains. A cyclonic storm had hit the state on September 19 and the consequent rains for two days resulted in devastation in 10 districts in coastal Andhra and Telangana regions.
As many as 107 people were killed due to the cyclone and floods. The prime minister has announced ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh in addition to Rs 1 lakh from the state government to the next of kin of the deceased.
There was widespread devastation. 1.17 lakh houses were fully or partly damaged. The government provided assistance in cash and kind to the affected families.
Agricultural crops over 3.34 lakh hectares were damaged causing a monetary loss of Rs 939 crore. Besides, horticultural crops over 40,740 hectares were damaged. 5,643 irrigation sources were breached or damaged, resulting in a loss of Rs 859 crore. Road network, electrical installations, buildings and water supply sources also suffered damages.
The state government released funds to the tune of Rs 30.64 crore from the Calamity Relief Fund for agriculture input subsidy, restoration of irrigation sources and repairs to the infrastructure under Municipal Administration and Panchayat Raj Departments.
All India Congress Committee president and United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi visited the flood affected areas in Krishna and west Godavari districts and interacted with the victims. Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy widely toured the flood affected areas.
Earlier, initiating the debate, leader of opposition N Chandrababu Naidu lambasted the government for the tardy relief, rescue and rehabilitation work in the affected areas. He demanded higher quantum of relief for the flood victims, particularly farmers.
Members from other parties -- Telangana Rashtra Samithi, Communist Party of India, Communist Party-Marxist, Majlis-e-Ittehaadul Muslimeen and Bharatiya Janata Party -- also held the administration responsible for tardy relief work.
