Hyderabad, Oct 20 (Inditop.com) The Andhra Pradesh government has sought central assistance of Rs.116.09 billion (Rs.11,609 crore) for relief and rehabilitation in the flood-affected districts, a state minister said Tuesday.
The state government has sent a memorandum to the central government, detailing the damages caused by the recent floods and seeking central assistance.
Minister for Revenue and Relief Dharmana Prasada Rao told reporters that the state suffered losses of Rs.126.66 billion (Rs.12,666 crore) due to the floods in five districts and it sought central assistance of Rs.116.09 billion (Rs.11,609 crore).
He said the centre would be sending two teams of officials for a visit to drought and flood affected areas in the state.
The centre would decide the quantum of assistance to be given after the central teams visit the state and submit their reports.
A eight-member central team headed by Upma Chowdary, joint secretary, agriculture and cooperatives, will visit the drought-affected areas in the state Oct 24-27.
The government had last month declared 981 mandals drought-affected. The state has a total of 1,128 mandals or administrative units.
Another central team headed by D. Deepti Vilas, joint secretary, home affairs, will visit flood affected districts Oct 26-29. The team will go around the flood-affected areas to study the damages caused by the massive floods in Krishna river and its tributaries earlier this month.
The team comprises officials from the ministries of finance, health, rural development, agriculture, energy, water resources, road transport and dairy development besides the planning commission.
The floods claimed 90 lives, rendered over 200,000 people homeless and caused extensive damage to public infrastructure, agriculture and allied sectors in five districts.
The minister said the floods affected 87 mandals. A total of 143 villages were submerged in the floods, described as the worst in 100 years.
After an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas Oct 9, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had announced an immediate assistance of Rs.10 billion (Rs.1,000 crore) for relief and rehabilitation.
