Union Minister's Visit to Flood-Hit Andhra and Telangana: Relief Efforts Intensify

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan embarks on a two-day visit to flood-affected areas in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The minister interacted with farmers, conducted aerial surveys, and reviewed relief efforts. The flood has impacted many, with rescue operations ongoing and substantial government assistance being provided.

As flood havoc persists in Andhra Pradesh, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is on his second day of an inspection tour to flood-stricken regions in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He is engaging with affected farmers in Vijayawada and later Khammam, where he will conduct an aerial survey and speak with locals regarding their losses. Additionally, Chouhan will meet with Telangana ministers and officials in Hyderabad.

On Thursday, Chouhan, alongside State Minister Nara Lokesh, met with locals in Vijayawada to assess the flood impact. Following this, Union Minister Chouhan and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressed the media, declaring the situation unprecedented with significant crop damage affecting 2 lakh farmers. Sanjeev Kumar Jindal, Additional Secretary at MHA, disclosed that NDRF teams have rescued 350 people and evacuated 15,000 in Andhra Pradesh, while in Telangana, 68 people were rescued, and 3,200 evacuated. The NDRF also provided pre-hospital treatment and aided local administrations in distributing food and relief materials.

IAF and Navy helicopters have conducted 65 sorties, dropping 71,000 kgs of food and relief supplies in Andhra Pradesh. The MHA has assembled Inter-Ministerial Central Teams to assess flood damages and recommend additional financial assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu emphasized that safeguarding lives and property remains a top priority.

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan announced the usage of drones for delivering food and water to affected areas and donated Rs 1 crore to the Chief Minister Relief Fund. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)