Hyderabad: Former Telangana minister T. Harish Rao on Thursday lashed out at the state government, accusing Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of focusing on reviews of games and Musi river beautification projects while ignoring the flood crisis in Medak and Kamareddy districts.
Harish Rao, accompanied by former Deputy Speaker Padma Devender Reddy, visited Rajipet village in Haveli Ghanpur mandal where two residents, Yada Goud and Satyanarayana, lost their lives in floodwaters. Consoling the bereaved families, he alleged that government negligence was directly responsible for the deaths.
“Lives could have been saved if helicopters were deployed”
Recounting the incident, Harish Rao said the victims were on their way in an auto to bring back children from a hostel after being alerted about flooding, when they were swept away. “They clung to a pole for nearly four hours, desperately seeking help, but no timely rescue came. If a helicopter had been sent immediately, their lives could have been saved,” he said.
The former minister criticised the government for allegedly prioritising protocol and other events over urgent rescue operations. “Helicopters can be used for weddings and official programmes, but why not to save lives?” he asked.
Harish Rao demanded ₹25 lakh ex gratia for each of the victims’ families and immediate assistance to flood-hit villages facing power outages and drinking water shortages. He further urged the government to extend ₹25,000 per acre as compensation to farmers who lost crops in the floods.
He said the administration must act swiftly to ensure that affected families are not left without basic relief.
