Sonia in AP to assess flood havoc

Vijayawada, Aug 9 (UNI) AICC President Sonia Gandhi and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil arrived here on a chartered flight this morning from New Delhi for making an aerial survey of flood-ravaged Andhra Pradesh.

She was received at the Gannavaram Airport by Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and Krishna District Collector Navin Mittal among others. Union Minister of State for Coal Dasari Narayana Rao accompanied the dignitaries from New Delhi.

Mediapersons were not allowed entry into the airport due to security concerns.

Ms Gandhi, Mr Patil and Dr Reddy later left for Amalapuram on a chopper for an aerial survey of the areas affected by the flood waters of the River Godavari.

The UPA Chairperson will also interact with some of the flood-affected people in the Konaseema Region before making an aerial survey of West Godavari District and the temple town of Bhadrachalam. She will also interact with the flood-affected people of Khammam District.

Later, they will leave for Hyderabad where a photo exhibition on the flood havoc had been organised besides interacting with people's representatives and officials.

The dignitaries will address a press conference before emplaning for New Delhi.

UNI CS GM MSJ DS1210