Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy this afternoon again reviewed the rescue and relief measures for victims of Uttarakhand floods from Andhra Pradesh with the Chief Secretary, CMO officials at Secretariat. He directed them to be in constant touch and monitor the operations to bring back all tourists and pilgrims safely.
Union Minister of State for Social Justice Balaram Naik, State ministers Danam Nagender and D. Sridhar Babu were briefing the status to the Chief Minister from time to time.
Officials said till date 1,100 people reached A.P. Bhavan and 800 people are on way to the State of which 636 left by train. The affected pilgrims and tourists travelling by train from New Delhi belong to Vijayawada, Hyderabad, Anantapur, Samalkot, Rajahmundry, Ongole, Kavali, Nellore, Guntakal, Visakhapatnam and Kurnool. More trips are being organised tomorrow also.
It may be stated here that 24-hour control rooms are working at Secretariat, Hyderabad, at all District Headquarters, A.P. Bhavan, New Delhi, Dehra Dun and Haridwar. So far, 550 calls were attended at Delhi and 423 at the Secretariat. Two IAS officers — Disaster Management Commissioner Dr T. Radha and Member-Secretary A.P. Pollution Control Board, Mr Sanjay Kumar were deputed and Union Minister of state for Social Justice, Mr Balram Naik and State Ministers Danam Nagender and D Sridhar Babu are monitoring.
Two relief teams from A.P. Bhavan — one at Dehra Dun and another at Haridwar are continuously on the job. On CM’s instructions, free food, accommodation, other facilities and round-the-clock medical check-up were being provided at A.P.Bhavan, Delhi, TTD Kalyana Mandapam, Rishikesh and 23 helicopters are in operation to carry out the rescue and relief operations. Free transport like trains and buses are being provided as required to the affected pilgrims and tourists. ITBP, NDRF and Armed Forces are deployed for rescue and relief operations at all affected places. (NSS)