The Centre has extended its support to the flood hit areas of Andhra Pradesh. A note from prime minister's office confirmed the same to the media. Notably, prime minister telephoned chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy and directed the CM to monitor the flood situation in AP and asked him to extend all possible assistance for rehabilitation.

The statement from PMO also read that Manmohan Singh expressed his condolences to the families, which lost their near and dear ones in floods. It is known tha cyclone Neelam, which crossed Chennai coast moved towards Andhra Pradesh and created havoc in coastal parts of Andhra Pradesh including Vishakapatnam and Srikakulam districts. The floods so far claimed 24 lives (as per official statement) and damaged over five lakh hectares of crop land. Even roadway got completely damaged. The opposition parties have been crying foul on the same and said that government failed to act promptly.

(AW Phani)