Satyavathi Rathod calls for caution as 214 lakes continue to overflow in Mahbubabad

Warangal: Tribal welfare minister Satyavathi Rathod directed officials to remain on high alert and provide services to people affected by waterlogging and flash floods round-the-clock in low-lying areas, after taking stock of overflowing lakes, canals and streams.

Accompanied by Mahbubabad MP Maloth Kavitha, Zilla Parishad Chairperson Angoth Bindu and district collector K.Shashanka, Rathod inspected the Pandipampu Wagu in Bayyaram mandal on Tuesday.

Rathod said that of 1,622 lakes in Mahbubabad district, around 1,400 lakes were at capacity, while 214 were overflowing. She said that four streams — Munneru, Akeru, Palair and Watti wagu — are flowing at dangerous levels.

Signboards were placed at the respective streams, cautioning people against visiting or crossing the corresponding roads over them.

However, several villages suffered property loss, as old houses in low-lying areas collapsed. There was no loss of life as people were shifted to relief centres.

Rathod directed officials of the electricity department to maintain vigil and remove damaged electric poles, to avoid untoward incidents. Further, the minister directed health department officials to ensure sufficient stock of general medicines and injections.

“Take necessary steps for shifting pregnant women and kidney patients to nearby hospitals, establish a helpline for providing emergency services to the people and, urge the people to utilise the services,” she said.