Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu today apprised Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the grim flood situation in Tamil Nadu and certain parts of Andhra Pradesh like Nellore, Chittoor and Kadapa districts and also about the breaching of Chennai-Kolkata National Highway at Manubolu in Nellore district where vehicles remained stranded on either side of the beach for over 24 hours.
The Prime Minister’s Office later informed Naidu that the Prime Minister instructed his Principal Secretary to direct all the concerned to take necessary steps immediately to provide relief the affected areas. Accordingly, National Highway authorities have already reached the spot and are taking relief measures.
Last night, the Urban Development Minister spoke to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on the same issue. The Union Transport Minister, who is in Brazil assured Naidu that all the possible measures will be taken by his Ministry. Naidu urged the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas to see there was no interruption to the supply of petrol and LPG to the affected areas. He has also spoken to district Collectors of Nellore, Chittoor and Kadapa and enquired about the latest flood situation.
The Collectors updated Naidu that 5000 acres of crop in Chittoor and 2000 acres of crop in Nellore was destroyed due to the floods. Naidu brought these facts to the notice of the Union Agricultural Minister Radha Mohan Singh and asked him to intervene and provide relief to the farmers who lost their crop. Agriculture Minister has said that his Ministry is already in touch with its counterparts in Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Venkaiah Naidu updated the flood situation in the two southern states to Union Home Minister and asked him to direct concerned departments in his Ministry to provide relief. Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister has told Naidu that NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) teams were already sent to Chennai and his Ministry is ready to provide whatever support required on the request of the State government.
Naidu requested Manohar Parikkar, Union Defense Minister, to provide helicopters for distribution of relief material and also to deploy naval personnel in the affected areas. The Defense Minister accordingly instructed the vice-chiefs of Air Force and Navy to take all necessary steps to provide relief to the affected parts. The Urban development Minister called Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh over telephone and enquired about the latest situation in Andhra Pradash. He assured the CM that whatever assistance is required from Centre will be given to the State.
Venkaiah Naidu spoke to BJP presidents of both Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh and directed them to involve the party cadre in the relief measures. Tamilnadu party president informed Naidu that the BJP cadres in the State are already into the action and distributing medicines and food packets to the affected people. Naidu also brought the situation to the notice of the BJP National Party Chief Amit Shah. Amit Shah immediately pledged support of Rs One crore for the relief work in the two southern States. (NSS)