Hyderabad, Oct 2nd: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi Friday night assured full support to Andhra Pradesh in tackling the flood situation that has turned alarming. Both Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi spoke to Chief Minister K. Rosaiah over phone and conveyed their concern over the situation, especially in Kurnool and Mahabubnagar districts.

Rosaiah told reporters Friday night that Manmohan Singh had directed the defence and home ministries to extend all possible assistance to the state in rescue and relief operations. Sonia Gandhi also urged the Congress leaders and workers to work together in providing succor to the flood victims. The chief minister said he had called a meeting of senior party leaders to ensure proper coordination for rescue and relief work. He said the prime minister or Sonia Gandhi would visit the state to assess the flood situation.

Since Kurnool, the worst hit district, was cut off by road, army helicopters would use Bellary, Bangalore, Yelhanka (all in Karnataka), or Tirupati and Puttaparthi as bases to take up rescue and relief operations on Saturday. The Karnataka government has also assured full support to the state in rescue and relief work. Karnataka Minister for Tourism, G. Janardhan Reddy and two-three other ministers are rendering all possible assistance, said Rosaiah.