CM rushes back from Delhi to supervise relief

Hyderabad, Jun 22 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today rushed back to the state capital cancelling his engagements in New Delhi on receiving reports about heavy rains wreaking havoc, claiming ten lives.

On receiving reports about heavy rains lashing many parts of the state, he rushed back to Hyderabad to personally supervise the relief operations and monitor the situation, an official release said.

The Chief Minister was to attend a high-level meeting of the Congress Chief Ministers, AICC General Secretaries, PCC Presidents and others, on the election of the President.

He was to meet Union Ministers to raise important issues pertaining to the state and if possible, the Prime Minister also.

Earlier, the Chief Minister, reviewing the situation from New Delhi, directed the district collectors to maintain constant vigil, particularly in the coastal areas.

Dr Reddy asked them to take all precautionary measures to deal with the situation. The Chief Minister also spoke to all the ministers representing the rain-affected districts and asked them to rush to the district headquarters to take control of the situation, if necessary.

A round-the-clock control room to monitor the situation has been set up at the Secretariat with a toll free number--23451070 and other numbers 23451043.

The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction over the timely action by the officials to save the passengers of stranded buses in Orvakallu in Kurnool district and Thambalapally in Chittoor district.

UNI