HYDERABAD, 24 September 2005 — A central team will arrive on Sept. 26 to assess the devastation caused by the recent cyclone and floods in Andhra Pradesh. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi is also expected to visit the affected areas in a couple of days. Speaking to newsmen yesterday, Chief Minister Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy said “the flood situation has eased with water receding in many places in the state.” Relief work is on in full swing as 121,000 people are still lodged in relief camps in the 12 flood-ravaged districts.” To prevent the outbreak of epidemics such as diarrhea, gastroenteritis, malaria, dengue and Japanese encephalitis in the affected areas, 473 medical teams comprising 213 medical and 1,170 paramedical staff have been deputed. “There are no reports of outbreak of any epidemic anywhere,” the chief minister said.
