Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Saturday directed all government departments and field staff to stay on high alert as heavy rains lashed several districts of Telangana.
Citing inputs from the Meteorological Department, he said 15 districts, except Jagtial, had recorded heavy to very heavy rains. He warned that Nizamabad, Sangareddy, Medak, Vikarabad, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem and Khammam could face more downpours.
SDRF, NDRF teams deployed
Revanth Reddy reviewed the situation with senior officials in the morning. He said SDRF and NDRF teams were already on the ground in vulnerable districts. They would work with collectors to carry out rescue and relief operations.
The Chief Minister asked district officials to watch overflowing streams and rivulets. He told them to shift families in low-lying areas to relief camps. Irrigation staff must track water levels in reservoirs, tanks and ponds round the clock, he said. They should also keep sandbags ready at full reservoirs.
He ordered a ban on traffic over inundated roads, low-level bridges and causeways. Police and revenue officials must place barricades and monitor these spots without a break.
Public health measures
Revanth Reddy flagged the risk of mosquito breeding and disease outbreaks from stagnant water. He told sanitation staff in towns and villages to intensify cleanliness drives. The Health Department should stock enough medicines and set up medical camps where needed.
He also directed Revenue, Electricity, Panchayat Raj, Roads and Buildings, Health, Municipal, Police, Fire Services and SDRF to work in coordination. Their goal, he said, must be to prevent loss of life, livestock and property.
In Hyderabad, he asked GHMC, the Disaster Response Force, SDRF and Fire Services to respond quickly to complaints from citizens.
