Friday, November 11 2005 15:55 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Describing as grim the flood situation, the Central team, deputed to make an on-the-spot assessment of the damage caused by torrential rains in Karnataka, said today (Nov 11, 2005) some areas had suffered extensive damage while communication was yet to be restored in few places.

The team would submit its report soon, Ranjan Bhattacharya, Joint Secretary, Home Affairs Ministry, who is leading the team, told reporters after interacting with Chief Minister N Dharam Singh and top officials at the end of their three-day visit to the state.

Singh expressed optimism that the Centre would sanction more assistance to the state 'as early as possible'.

The Centre cannot release funds as soon as a state submits memorandum to it seeking assistance for taking up relief works, Singh said, hitting back at the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has been accusing the Centre of not releasing funds.