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

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has assured Andhra Pradesh of all help from the Centre to cope with the situation arising out of the massive floods in the state.

The assurance was given to Chief Minister K Rosaiah who spoke to him over phone last night.

"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 and sought 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.

Three to four lakh food packets are being prepared by the state government, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) and NGOs to air-drop them for about 25,000 marooned people. Drinking water, milk and baby food will also be distributed.