PM offers central assistance to rain-hit Andhra Pradesh

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Reddy in the wake of recent heavy rains causing widespread damage in several parts of the state.

Singh, during the telephonic talk, offered all possible central assistance to the state to meet the situation, PMO sources said.

Earlier in the day, Reddy chaired a high-level review meeting with ministers and senior officials in Hyderabad.

Rain-related incidents have so far claimed 24 lives and damaged crops in 5.25 lakh hectares and horticulture crops in over 24,000 acres.