New Delhi, December 26
Congress President Sonia Gandhi today asked the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala to take immediate steps to provide relief to the people hit by tidal waves after an earthquake.
In a condolence message, she said she was most distressed and saddened by the devastation caused by the natural calamity in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Kerala, Pondicherry and Andaman and Nicobar Islands this morning.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to those who have lost their near and dear ones and sympathies to those who have been displaced”, she said.
President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam also spoke to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and officials concerned about the natural calamity that struck Indian coastal areas this morning and enquired about the relief, rescue and rehabilitation operations.
Mr Kalam mourned the loss of lives and expressed concern over destruction caused to the habitat in the affected states.
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee also expressed concern over the loss of life and property caused by the earthquake and tidal waves that struck coastal areas.
