Hyderabad: The state revenue and disaster management minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy asked the district collectors and police officials to be on high alert in view of the prediction of heavy rains by the weather department. They have been asked to take preventive measures and ensure there is no loss of life and property.
Participating in a video conference from the secretariat along with chief secretary Shanti Kumari and DGP Dr. Jitender he 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.
Speaking on the occasion, Ponguleti said, “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 eight people despite the calculated release of water factoring in the flow of water from Krishna and Godavari rivers and over flowing ponds. Officials are requested to be on alert as there is a possibility of the ponds breaching in view of heavy rains predicted.”
People affected by rains in the Mahabubabad, Mulugu, Suryapet, Bhadradri Kothagudem and Khammam districts have received help. The minister ordered the district collectors to cancel the leaves of government officials and asked them to take a decision on closure of schools depending on the local situation.
Chief secretary who spoke on the occasion 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.�