PM offers central help for flood victims

With heavy rains in southern India claiming at least 45 lives and destroying homes and crops, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday offers central aid to affected states.

With heavy rains in southern India claiming at least 45 lives and destroying homes and crops, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday offered central aid to affected states.

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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, who offered Rs.200,000 to the kin of each of those killed in his state, and Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan briefed the prime minister on the grim situation in their states.

"The prime minister has offered central assistance to both states. He also conveyed his condolences to the families of those dead," a spokesperson in the Prime Minister's Office said.

"He also shared his sympathies with the families of those displaced from their homes and those who have suffered financial losses," the spokesperson added.

Andhra Pradesh has been the worst hit by heavy showers and flash floods, with 32 people already dead and tens of thousands losing their homes and crops. Another 13 people lost their lives in Kerala due to rain and landslides since Thursday.

It also poured heavily in Orissa and in some parts of Karnataka and Maharashtra even as the Meteorological Department predicted widespread rains in Maharashtra including Mumbai, Goa, Gujarat and coastal Karnataka because of monsoon.

Manmohan Singh had earlier offered central aid to the flood victims in Assam where the Brahmaputra was flowing above the danger level in at least 12 places and has displaced some 20,000 people.