Monsoon Review: CM Warns Officials of Tough Action

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday cautioned officials that a lackadaisical approach in dealing with rain-related events would not be tolerated, and warned of tough action on those who remained unavailable in the field to attend to emergency situations.

Revanth Reddy, during a review meeting on monsoon preparedness, the second in two days, pointed out that despite his alerting officials on June 1 to be ready for the monsoon, they failed to respond effectively when a downpour hit the city on June 9. He expressed displeasure over the inconvenience caused to residents due to traffic jams in several areas, including Cyberabad. “Officials failed to respond effectively when heavy rains hit the city on June 9. Authorities must work proactively using data on water-logging points, black spots and traffic congestion zones,” he said.

Sending a strong message of accountability, Revanth Reddy made it clear that public inconvenience would not be tolerated and that every department must work in complete coordination to keep Hyderabad moving. In a pointed reference to how the electricity department had not got its act together, the Chief Minister directed the power department to remain fully prepared to handle rain-related disruptions. “If there are tree falls disrupting power, they must be cleared, if required mobile transformers should be used to restore power supply,” he said.

Everyone must coordinate their work, be it officials from municipal administration, HYDRAA, traffic police, the HMWS&SB or the civil police. Officials right from the city police commissioner must be on the field to deal with rain related situations. He directed Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao and DGP C.V. Anand to analyse the reasons behind this situation and take action against the officials concerned. “If required, I will step on to the roads. If there are traffic snarls in future because of the rain, there will be tough action against officials,” Revanth Reddy said, adding that no excuses will be tolerated.

The Chief Minister directed officials to take proactive measures regarding the rain, in accordance with India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts. He stated that during rainfall, personnel from municipal administration, HYDRAA, the traffic police, and the HMWS&SB, as well as civil police, must be present on the ground. He emphasised that everyone, from the police commissioner down to the lowest-ranking staff, must be out on the roads.

He directed HMWS&SB official to conduct regular water quality tests, for possible contaminants and instructed them to fully prepare to handle potential health issues arising from contamination. He also directed them to stock up on necessary medicines in anticipation of seasonal diseases.

The Chief Minister instructed irrigation officials to implement robust measures at all projects. He also issued instructions that the irrigation department take strict action against any engineer who leaves the project sites without the permission of higher authorities. A directive was also issued to the principal secretary, finance, Sandeep Kumar Sultania, to immediately sanction fund for the repair and maintenance of project gates.

Revanth Reddy directed agriculture department officials to focus specifically on the distribution of seeds and urea and instructed that urea distribution be carried out through 'Rythu Vedikas'. He instructed that local agriculture officers be held responsible for urea stocks and distribution, while also involving revenue staff in the process.

Rajya Sabha member Vem Narendar Reddy, besides senior officials from the irrigation, municipal administration, health, police, agriculture, and meteorological departments were present.