Hyderabad: In view of the heavy rains in Telangana, Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) Minister K.T. Rama Rao held a teleconference with the department’s officials and Additional Collectors. Also, the Minister visited several parts of Hyderabad and examined the flood water level in Hussainsagar.
KTR directed officials to give utmost importance to the prevention of loss of life and to be on alert about the situation in low-lying areas. Further, he instructed officials to immediately evacuate people from dilapidated buildings. The Minister said that further measures would be taken up in the towns where flood water stagnated.
Speaking to media personnel, the MA&UD Minister said that Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao is regularly reviewing the heavy rains situation in the State. He added that the Chief Minister spoke to Municipal Administration department officials too. The MA&UD Minister said that Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation’s (GHMC) Commissioner, all top officials and staff have been working relentlessly. Disaster Response Force (DRF) officials too have been working tirelessly. KTR said that the leaves of the Municipal Department employees are cancelled.
Stating that the torrential rains caused inconvenience to people, he said that there was no loss of life till now. KTR stressed that the prevention of any loss of life is the primary agenda. He said that as a red alert was issued for Hyderabad, the State government left no stone unturned in terms of precautions.
Listing out the works completed till now, the Minister said that desilting work in Hyderabad was already completed, and strengthening of ponds was taken up. Gates were fixed to 135 ponds. KTR said that in contrast to the floodings earlier in several parts during heavy rains, the impact of the floods is less this time because of the Strategic Nala Development Programme (SNDP). The State government and its machinery are working round-the-clock to face situations that arise during the torrential rains.
The Minister said that people who live in flood-prone areas were alerted. Control Rooms were set up and temporary shelters were arranged. KTR said that ponds which are at threat of getting breached were reviewed. Flood water levels in the Musi River were constantly monitored. He said that measures to control the spread of diseases will be taken up soon after the rains recede. KTR said that instructions were issued to Municipal Department officials to visit Warangal and if need be, he too will go there.The Minister suggested opposition parties should be of help to people instead of indulging in politics. He asked them not to make pretty criticism which demoralises government employees who worked tirelessly. (INN)