Hyderabad, Aug.29 (NSS): Minister for Revenue, Housing, and Information & Public Relations Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy has informed that the State government is taking adequate steps to strengthen the Disaster Management system to minimise the loss of life and property when disasters occur and to handle unexpected situations.
The Minister held a review meeting on the action plan for floods at his office in the Secretariat on Thursday. Special Chief Secretary to Government Arvind Kumar, Joint Secretary S Harish, HYDRA Commissioner AV Ranganath and other senior officials, including Revenue, Irrigation, Municipal, Panchayat Raj, Planning and Meteorological departments participated in the meeting.
Srinivas Reddy stated that for the first time in 10 years, an action plan is being prepared to address floods and instructed officials to prepare flood response plans at the State and district levels, involving all departments related to flood management.
“Measures should be taken to reduce flood risk on the Godavari and Krishna river basins. Moreover, a toll-free number should be set up at the State level for Disaster Management. Officials should be prepared to tackle any situation, from small drainage issues to high-rise building emergencies, with modern equipment,” he advised.
The Minister directed that all the departments should prepare the necessary action plans to deal with the threat of flood and promised that another meeting will be held soon to discuss the subject extensively.
On the occasion, Srinivas Reddy also advised the HYDRA Commissioner to send the necessary proposals to provide advanced equipment and promised that he would extend all the support for the execution of its ongoing demolition drive.
