Venkaiah brings flood situation to PM's notice

Hyderabad, Nov 18 (INN): Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the severe flood situation in Tamil Nadu and certain affected parts of Andhra Pradesh like Nellore, Chittoor and Kadapa.

The Union Minister explained the flood situation in both the states and highlighted about the breaching of Chennai-Kolkata National Highway at Manubolu in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, where vehicles have been stranded on both sides of the beach for more than 24 hours.

The Prime Minister's Office later informed Naidu that the Prime Minister instructed his Principle Secretary to direct all the concerned to take necessary steps immediately to provide relief the affected areas. Accordingly, National Highway authorities have already reached the spot and are taking relief measures.

Last night, the Urban Development Minister spoke to the Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari on the same issue. The Union Transport Minister who is in Brazil assured Naidu that all the possible measures will be taken from his Ministry. Naidu urged the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas to see to it that no interruption happens to the supply of petrol and LPG to the affected areas. He has also spoken to collectors of Nellore, Chittoor and Kadapa and enquired about the latest flood situation. The collectors updated Naidu that 5,000 acres of crop in Chittoor and 2000 acres of crop in Nellore was destroyed due to the floods.

Naidu brought these facts to the notice of the Union Agricultural Minister Radha Mohan Singh and asked him to intervene and provide relief to the farmers who lost their crop. Agriculture Minister has said that his Ministry is already in touch with its counterparts in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Venkaiah Naidu updated the flood situation in the two southern states to Union Home Minister and asked him to direct concerned departments in his Ministry to provide relief. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has told Naidu that NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) teams were already sent to Chennai and his Ministry is ready to provide whatever support required on the request of the state government.

Naidu requested Manohar Parikkar, Union Defense Minister, to provide helicopters for distribution of relief material and also to deploy naval personnel in the affected areas. The defense minister accordingly instructed the vice-chiefs of Air Force and Navy to take all necessary steps to provide relief to the affected parts.

The Urban development Minister called Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh over telephone and enquired about the latest situation in Andhra Pradash. He assured the CM that whatever assistance is required from Centre will be given to the state.

Venkaiah Naidu spoke to BJP Presidents of both Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and directed them to involve the party cadre in the relief measures. Tamil Nadu party president informed Naidu that the BJP cadres in the state are already into the action and distributing medicines and food packets to the affected people.

Naidu also brought the situation to the notice of the BJP National Party president Amit Shah who immediately pledged support of Rs. 1 Crore for the relief work in the two southern states