Hyderabad: The government on Sunday asked district collectors and police officials to be on high alert in view of the forecast of heavy rains on Monday and take preventive measures to ensure no loss to life and property.
Participating in a video conference from the Secretariat along with Chief Secretary Shanti Kumari and DGP Dr Jitender, Revenue and disaster management minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy gave directions to the district collectors in the presence of municipal, Transco, revenue, panchayati raj, HYDRAA, GHMC and irrigation officials.
Deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka also joined the video conference from the Khammam collectorate and gave instructions to the officials.
“The state government has been largely able to contain damage to life and property in view of the preventive measures taken by us. I express regret at the death of nine people despite the calculated release of water factoring in the flow of water from Krishna and Godavari rivers and overflowing ponds. Officials are requested to be on alert as there is a possibility of the ponds breaching in view of heavy rains predicted,” Ponguleti said.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Secretary said, “There have been breaches to 85 tanks, ponds and canals as per preliminary reports. Steps should be taken to prevent such breaches in other places. NDRF, SDRF teams have been deployed in the severely flood affected areas from Hyderabad and a control room has been established in the secretariat for the purpose. The measures taken by the collectors have been successful in preventing loss of life and property. Care should be taken to evacuate those residing in old buildings as there is a possibility of them caving in.”
The DGP Jitender informed that 26 platoons of rescue teams have been kept on standby. Food and water have been supplied to the railway passengers who were stranded in Mahabubabad. We ensured that they reach their destinations, he said.
The minister called on the Congress cadre to take part in relief measures and help the needy.
