Manmohan, Sonia express grief over loss of life in floods

Hyderabad, Jun 23 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi today expressed grief over the loss of life in the flash floods following heavy rainfall in Andhra Pradesh for the last few days.

Dr Singh and Sonia Gandhi called up the Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy to express their grief over the flood situation in the state.

''Now I undertstand your tension, Actually I thought it is only the normal monsoon and a little excess rain. However, the way you skipped all the important programmes like the Congress Chief Ministers and AICC General Secretaries meet,among others and rushed to Hyderabad. I could not understand. But now I understood the severity of the situation.I appreciate your concern. I am really happy that everyhing is under control and waters are receding'' the Prime Minister said.

Sonia Gandhi enquired whether there were women among those who lost their lives or among the missing. She hailed the state administration for the timely action in containing the damage and loss to the property.

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil also called up Dr Reddy to enquire about the latest flood situaiton in Kurnool, Nandyal and other areas in the state.

Mr Patil assured all assistance to the state in this regard.

The Chief Minister told the leaders that though the death toll was feared to be as highes 41 in the morning but with the saving of some of the people who were washed away, the toll was now only 32.

He said the relief works were going on in full swing and that he was also on aerial survey in Kurnool, Mahabubnagar and other districts which he could not do because of the inclement weather. y.

UNI