NEW DELHI, Dec. 31 (Xinhuanet) -- Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will visit the tsunami-affected coastal region of Andhra Pradesh Friday, according to Indo-Asian News Service (IANS).

    He is scheduled to arrive at Gannavaram airport near Vijayawadaat 2:30 pm. He will make an aerial survey of the affected areas inWest Godavari, Krishna, Prakasam and Guntur districts. He will also meet with Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and other officials to discuss relief and rehabilitation measures.

    Rajasekhara Reddy will submit to him a memorandum seeking central assistance of 3.17 billion Rupees in cash and 19,500 tons of rice.

    Of a total aid package of 3.17 billion Rupees the state government is seeking, 1.6 billion Rupees is for the construction of 40,000 houses for fishermen living in vulnerable areas near thecoastline.

    Rajasekhara Reddy said the death toll in the tsunami which hit the coast Dec. 26 was 104 and those reported missing had come back.

    More than 35,000 people have been evacuated from low-lying areas along the coast following the disaster. Enditem