PM to make aerial survey of flood affected Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka

New Delhi, Oct 8(ANI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will conduct an aerial survey of the flood-ravaged states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka during his two-day visit to the states from Friday.

Singh will first go to Andhra Pradesh, where he will review the flood-affected regions with Chief Minister K. Rosaiah.

He will then visit Karnataka where after the aerial survey, he will take stock of the flood situation with Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa at Raichur.

The floods have wrecked havoc in northern parts of Karnataka, described by officials as the worst in many decades, killing over 280 people besides rendering several thousands homeless.

While in Andhra Pradesh, River Tungabhadra, which flows from Karnataka and joins River Krishna went in spate and has made at least five million people suffer.

Floodwaters have swamped millions of acres of farmland and damaged standing crops of sugarcane, maize, rice and wheat.

The loss of sugarcane has given rise to worries of sharp fall in the output of sugar in Karnataka, the country's third-biggest producer.

Following the calamities, the Centre has already released the second installment of over Rs. 209 crore from the Calamity Relief Fund to the two states. And Prime Minister had announced Rs. one lakh each of ex-gratia from the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund to the next of kin of those killed in the floods.

The Armed Forces have rescued 3,600 people in the states. (ANI)