CM reviews rescue, relief operations

Hyderabad, June 22 : Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Saturday reviewed the rescue and relief measures for the victims of Uttarakhand floods from our State with the Chief Secretary, CMO officials at Secretariat.

The Chief Minister directed the Chief Secretary and senior officials to be in constant touch and monitor the operations to bring back all tourists and pilgrims safely. Union Minister of state for Social Justice Sri Balaram Naik, State Ministers Danam Nagender and D Sridhar Babu are briefing the status to the Chief Minister from time to time.

Officials said that till date 1,100 people reached A.P.Bhavan, New Delhi and 800 people are on way to Andhra Pradesh 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. Journey is arranged free of cost. More similar 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 and Dehra Dun, Haridwar. So far about 550 calls were attended at Delhi and 423 at the Secretariat. Two IAS officers Commissioner, Disaster Management, Dr T.Radha and Member-Secretary, A.P.Pollution Control Board, Sanjay Kumar were deputed and Union Minister of state for Social Justice, 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 one at Haridwar are continuously on the job. On Chief Minister’s instructions, free food, accommodation, other facilities and round-the-clock medical check up are being provided at A.P.Bhavan, Delhi, TTD Kalyana Mandapam, Rishikesh. 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. INN