Andhra Pradesh has sought an assistance of Rs 1,201 crore and 12.74 lakh tons of rice from the central government for carrying out rehabilitation efforts in the state, which was ravaged by a cyclonic storm.

Besides massive devastation caused by heavy rains and floods, the natural calamity has also claimed 58 lives.

Governor Sushil Kumar [Images] Shinde and Agriculture Minister N Raghuveera Reddy submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] before the latter boarded for New Delhi [Images] on conclusion of his one-day visit to Sriharikota and Tirupati in the state on Wednesday.

Flood situation worsens in Andhra, toll 58

Briefing newsmen on Wednesday evening, Chief Minister Rajasekhara Reddy said the prime minister's
response was quite positive.

Dr Singh had assured all needful help in all possible ways to the state and stated that a central team would visit the affected areas within 3 days. Besides, Rs one lakh would be given to the kin of each of the deceased from the prime minister's relief fund.

In view of the municipal elections, the prime minister said that it would be better if the announcements were made three days after the polls completed.

The state government estimated the losses on account of floods and rains at Rs 1,809 crore. As many as 3,672 villages spread over 342 mandals in 10 districts were severely affected by torrential rains that lashed the state for two days.

In all, 1.5 lakh people were evacuated to safer places and lodged in 473 relief camps.

Crops over an extent of 2.75 lakh acre were damaged and 498 irrigation tanks and 97 canals had breached, as per initial assessment. In all, 92,108 houses were inundated. Of them, 9,747 houses were fully damaged and 8,529 houses were partially damaged.

The agriculture and horticulture sector suffered losses of Rs 597 crore, the chief minister added.