Centre has released Rs 209.1 crore from the Calamity Relief Fund to flood-hit Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka to tackle the situation.
Andhra Pradesh will receive Rs 156.84 crore while Karnataka will get Rs 52.26 crore, an official release said.
The funds are the second instalment of the Central share of Calamity Relief Fund for the year 2009-10. The amount is usually released in December, but the payment has been advanced in view of the grim situation in the two states.
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrashekhar on Tuesday to review the flood situation in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
The Resident Commissioners of both the states, who attended the meeting appreciated the prompt and quick response by the Centre in providing logistic support for rescue and relief operations.
Personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army, Navy and Air Force have been deployed by the Centre to help the state in the largescale rescue and evacuation operations and distribution of food, drinking water and other relief items.
As many as 714 trained personnel of NDRF along with 235 inflatable motorised boats, 310 lifebuoys and 225 life-jackets have been deployed in Kurnool, Krishna, Mehboob Nagar and Nandyal districts of Andhra Pradesh for rescue and relief operations.
{{/usCountry}}As many as 714 trained personnel of NDRF along with 235 inflatable motorised boats, 310 lifebuoys and 225 life-jackets have been deployed in Kurnool, Krishna, Mehboob Nagar and Nandyal districts of Andhra Pradesh for rescue and relief operations.
{{/usCountry}}Over 700 Army personnel (seven columns) along with 23 special boats, 11 out boat motors, 430 lifejackets and 11 rescue teams from the Navy are aiding rescue operations in Guntur, Mehboob Nagar and Vijaywada districts.
Three medical teams of the Army have also pitched in the relief operations in Kurnool, Mehboob Nagar and Vijaywada districts of Andhra Pradesh.
In Karnataka, Army sent in 12 special boats, six out boat motors, 200 life jackets and additional personnel armed with digging instruments in affected districts.
In Gadag and Karwar districts, four diving teams are aiding relief operations while an additional 22-member contingent is also deployed in Karwar.