CM Revanth Reddy’s Emergency Appeal to the Centre
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has urgently appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare the recent floods in Telangana as a national calamity. The floods have caused severe damage, leading to loss of life, destruction of crops, and significant property damage. The Chief Minister has instructed Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari to send a formal request urging the Prime Minister to visit the flood-affected areas.
On Monday, CM Revanth Reddy held a high-level review meeting at the Central Command Control office in Hyderabad. During the meeting, he announced an immediate relief package of Rs 5 crore for the severely affected districts of Khammam, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mahbubabad, and Suryapet.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) briefed the Chief Minister about the unexpected heavy rains in the state. They emphasized the need for a detailed study to understand the increasing frequency of such heavy rainfall events, which were previously observed only once in five to ten years. The IMD also warned of the possibility of more heavy rains in Adilabad, Nizamabad, and Nirmal districts until Tuesday.
In response to the weather forecast, CM Reddy directed all district Collectors and relevant department officers to remain on high alert. He instructed them to immediately relocate people living in low-lying areas to relief camps if necessary. Additionally, the Chief Minister ordered the establishment of control rooms to receive complaints and monitor water levels in ponds, culverts, and other vulnerable areas.
To strengthen disaster response, CM Revanth Reddy directed the Director-General of Police (DGP) to provide specialized training to one-third of the 8 battalions of young police officers, similar to the training provided to National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel. The Chief Minister emphasized the need for quick responses during emergencies, noting that relying solely on NDRF deployments could lead to delays.
When officials raised concerns about the lack of necessary equipment, CM Reddy instructed them to purchase the required gear, even if it is expensive. He pointed out that similar specialized teams have already been created in states like Odisha and Gujarat.
Finally, the Chief Minister suggested studying the procedures used by these teams and providing training under the guidance of experienced officers. He also recommended preparing a detailed manual and conducting rehearsals with the trained staff before the onset of each rainy season.
