PM has offered all Central help to flood-hit AP: Rosaiah

The assurance was given to Chief Minister K Rosaiah who spoke to him over phone. "The Prime Minister assured all help from the central government," Rosaiah told reporters. He told the Prime Minister that it is for the first time in the history of Andhra Pradesh that so much flood water has been gushing into and out of Srisailam dam.

Rosaiah also spoke to Home Minister P Chidambaram and Defence Minister A K Antony seeking their help in conducting relief and rescue operations. The Chief Minster also spoke to Congress President Sonia Gandhi on the flood situation. Gandhi asked Chief Minister of neighbouring Maharashtra Ashok Chavan to help Andhra Pradesh in relief and rescue operations. "She also told me that either she herself or the Prime Minister would visit the state to see the flood situation," Rosaiah said. "She told me to leave no stone unturned in providing relief to flood-hit people and asked Congress workers to assist the state government in this hour of need," the Chief Minister said.

About one lakh people are being evacuated to safer places in Vijayawada city and neighbouring villages. Revenue Minister D Prasada Rao said arrangements are being made to shift lakhs of people as the whole of Kurnool town faced the risk of submergence. The water level in Srisailam project may touch 892 feet, beyond its full capacity of 885 feet, which may lead to backwaters submerging Kurnool town.