Khammam, Sept.1 (NSS): In response to the ongoing heavy rains across the Telangana State, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka has issued urgent instructions to district collectors to remain on high alert and ready to face any situation that may arise.
During a video conference with all district collectors from Khammam, the Deputy Chief Minister emphasized the importance of preparedness, especially in flood-prone areas.
Key directives included the establishment of rescue teams to respond swiftly to emergencies, ensuring that district collectors are prepared to tackle any challenges.
He also instructed collectors to declare holidays for educational institutions in areas severely affected by flooding. Furthermore, the police department was advised to prohibit vehicle movement on roads with heavy water flow to prevent accidents.
In the video conference held at the Khammam Collectorate office, Bhatti Vikramarka along with Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari discussed precautionary measures to be implemented to minimize public inconvenience caused by the relentless rains.
The Deputy Chief Minister stressed the need for continuous monitoring along the Godavari riverbanks, from Khammam to Adilabad, where officials are to remain vigilant 24/7.
On the occasion, Vikramarka instructed the HYDRA team, currently engaged in clearing encroachments, to temporarily pause their operations and focus on forming rescue teams to combat the current crisis. He also emphasised the need for HYDRA to develop an action plan to manage the heavy rainfall effectively.
Efforts to evacuate residents from low-lying and flood-prone areas to safer locations were highlighted as a priority.
Suggesting the establishment of rehabilitation centers with adequate food, medical facilities and other essentials, he assured that the finance department is ready to provide necessary funds for emergency services to intensify relief operations in flood-affected areas.
A separate video conference was conducted with electricity department officials under the NPDCL, stressing the importance of uninterrupted power supply and water services amidst the rains. The police department was also directed to enforce a ban on vehicle movement on roads submerged by floodwaters.
Deputy Chief Minister Vikramarka, who has been personally overseeing the situation in Khammam since Saturday midnight, mentioned the successful rescue of a fisherman, Venkateshwarlu, who was trapped in a stream in Vangaveedu village of Madhira mandal.
Speaking to the media after the video conference, the Deputy Chief Minister reassured that the State government is highly alert and proactive in managing the continuous rainfall to ensure public safety.
He detailed the ongoing efforts to relocate residents from flood-hit and low-lying areas to safer zones and highlighted the preparedness of HYDRA teams to tackle any disasters that may arise in the twin cities due to flooding. Rescue operations are ready and on standby to respond immediately to any emergency situations, Bhatti added.
