PM to review AP flood situation

Hyderabad, Aug 10 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will make a review of the grim flood situation in Andhra Pradesh tomorrow.

Talking to reporters, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy said Dr Singh would arrive here by a special aircraft in the afternoon and make an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas in Adilabad district and Nanded in Maharashtra.

His visit follows the extensive tour of Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi in the state.

''Returning from Maharashtra in the evening, Dr Singh will make a detailed review of the flood situation here,'' Dr Reddy informed.

Justifying the visit of Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, he said Mr Patil had visited the state in his capacity as the Chairman of the National Disaster Management Committee.

When asked about Dr Singh skipping the worst hit Khammam and East and West Godavari districts in his schedule, he said the Prime Minister would not visit the places covered by Mr Patil.

The state would organise a photo exhibition to make a detailed presentation of the flood havoc and seek financial aid from the Centre for short term and long term measures to cope up with the situation, he added.

Asked about the extent of damage, he said the final report would be possible only after the flood waters fully receded from the affected areas. ''Once a report is prepared, it will not be possible for the state to change it and let us wait for a few more days.

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