AP CM asks Centre to release Rs 1,000 cr for relief operations

Naidu claims heavy rains caused Rs 3,000 cr loss in crop damage and infra breakdown

Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday said the heavy rains had caused a loss of about Rs 3,000 crore in terms of damage to crops and infrastructure in the state, while requesting the Centre to release Rs 1,000 crore for immediate relief and restoration activities.

The state received heavy rains and floods due to low pressure over southwest Bay of Bengal in two spells from November 9 to November 12 and from November 15 to this day.

About 95 stations have received very heavy rainfall ranging from 200 mm to 657 mm between November 15 and November 19. The worst affected district is Nellore followed by Chittoor and Kadapa. Also there are extensive crop damages in East and West Godavari districts and minor damages in other districts namely Anantapur, Prakasam and Krishna, according to the chief minister.

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said the preliminary estimate of losses include a loss of Rs 1,250 crore to crops and allied sectors and Rs 1,025 crore to infrastructure.

Of the total estimated loss Nellore alone accounts for Rs 1,395 crore followed by Chittoor with a loss of Rs 818 crore. Both the districts are closer to Tamil Naidu,which was the worst hit by these rains.

About 35 people were lost their lives in the state, according to government statistics.