Hyderabad: KT Rama Rao, the Municipal Administration Minister, has called on officials to take immediate action in response to the current situation caused by heavy rains. He emphasized the importance of preventing any loss of life and instructed officials to coordinate with other departments for relief efforts. The State government is prepared to provide any necessary assistance.
During a teleconference, various topics were discussed, including measures to prevent waterborne diseases, provision of safe drinking water, sanitation management, and rehabilitation of highways and roads. The Minister instructed officials to regularly monitor water bodies in cities and towns and empty them if needed, following guidelines from the Irrigation department. If necessary, people from low lying areas should be shifted to safer locations. Control rooms will be set up in all districts, including Hyderabad, to coordinate relief efforts.
The Minister also emphasized the need to clear accumulated mud from towns and highways and ensure that roads are motorable through temporary repairs. Sanitation drives should be conducted in all towns, with additional staff and vehicles if necessary. Large-scale programmes for bleaching powder, sodium hypochlorite, and mosquito repellent spraying should be undertaken. Dewatering pumps will be used to drain accumulated water.
Rama Rao stressed the importance of raising awareness among the public about boiling and filtering water before drinking. Officials should collaborate with Mission Bhagiratha officials to fix leaks in pipelines promptly and ensure chlorination of drinking water. Coordination with District Medical and Health Officers is necessary for medical and health programmes. Dilapidated buildings should be demolished, and repair works should be coordinated with the Electricity department.
