New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) Home Minister P. Chidambaram Tuesday said the loss due to floods in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh was enormous and the central government was ready to extend more help to the two neighbouring southern states.
“We were deeply moved by the scale of the calamity,” Chidambaram, who accompanied Congress president and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday’s aerial survey of the havoc, said in a statement.

“The loss of life, property, cattle, and standing crops is enormous. Lakhs of people have been accommodated in camps,” he said.

The central government has already provided aid and help to the two states in the form of troops, rescue and relief forces, diving and swimming teams, boats and helicopters.

“The Central government stands ready to provide more help, if needed,” Chidambaram said.

He said after consulting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh he has advised the two chief ministers, B.S. Yeddyurappa of Karnataka and K. Rosaiah of Andhra Pradesh that the state governments may utilize the CRF (Calamity Relief Fund) immediately.

Chidambaram did not mention any amount but said “once 75 percent of CRF is exhausted, the state government may draw on the NCCF (National Calamity Contingency Fund). Advances from NCCF will be provided.”

A central team would be sent to the two states as soon as the two governments were ready to receive it to assess the damage.

The home minister said further measures would be considered once the Finance Minister Pranab Mukherji returns Wednesday from his foreign trip.

“I wish to assure the state governments that availability of funds will not be a constraint and that they should focus on providing relief to the affected people,” Chidambaram said.

Offering the central government’s “deepest sympathies to the affected People” the home minister assured that “full assistance” will be provided for their relief and rehabilitation.

The rain and flash floods in the two states have so far claimed over 250 lives with Karnataka alone reporting 195 deaths. The rain started in Karnataka’s northern districts Sep 30 and moved on to Andhra Pradesh, Goa and Maharashtra.

After pounding Karnataka for three days the rain stopped Oct 3 and flood water has started receding.

But threat of floods continue to haunt several Andhra Pradesh villages due to heavy discharge from water reservoirs.

The two governments have estimated the loss at over Rs.28,000 crore and have sought immediate central assistance of over Rs.16,000 crore.

Karnataka says it has suffered loss over Rs.16,500 crore and wants Rs.10,000 crore central assistance. Andhra Pradesh has sought over Rs.6,000 crore, estimating its loss at over Rs.12,000 crore.