With floods creating havoc and disrupting normal life in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and other States, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Sunday demanded that it be declared national calamity in the worst hit areas.
In a statement, the party Polit Bureau also demanded an immediate assessment of damages by a parliamentary team. It said relief measures on a war footing have to be undertaken and the State governments must be provided with all the required help.
In the light of the threat from overflowing reservoirs, immediate steps had to be taken to evacuate the marooned people and animals in such places, the statement said.
Expresses concern
The Polit Bureau expressed serious concern over the loss of lives and property in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, parts of Goa, Maharashtra and Orissa and condoled the deaths in the calamity.
It said northern and coastal Karnataka had been the worst hit with the death toll topping 150 and 37 deaths reported from Andhra Pradesh . There were loss of lives in the other States too and the toll was expected to go up. It said 15 districts were affected in Karnataka and five districts in Andhra Pradesh.
The Polit Bureau asked its members to involve in relief activities and provide voluntary service in the affected areas.
