Andhra CM cancels Delhi visit

Hyderabad, Nov 1 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today cancelled his visit to New Delhi and the scheduled meeting with UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde tomorrow, in view of the flood situation in the state.

A release from the Chief Minister Office said Dr Reddy could not conduct an aerial survey of the flooded regions today as torrential rains and inclement weather conditions still persisted.

It said Dr Reddy would leave by train tonight to make a survey of the flood-affected areas in Coastal Andhra region and monitor relief and rehabilitation works.

He would first visit Chirala in Prakasham district and then proceed to Repalle in Guntur district and Avanigadda in Krishna district.

The Chief Minister, after an emergency review meeting with the officials concerned, had directed the district collectors and officials to take up relief works on war footing.

The release said according to latest reports, 23 people were killed and about 2720 houses were fully and 5848 partially damaged.

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