CM Revanth Reddy orders high alert across Telangana as IMD predicts more rains; government activates SDRF, NDRF, and emergency protocols for flood preparedness.
Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has directed officials to remain on high alert and take proactive steps to mitigate damage in the wake of heavy rains across Hyderabad and several districts in Telangana.
With the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting continued rainfall over the next three days, Revanth Reddy on Wednesday conducted a meeting with district collectors to review the preparedness of the state.
He instructed district collectors to safeguard paddy stocks at procurement centres and market yards by ensuring immediate transportation to rice mills post-weighing. He also stressed the importance of flood preparedness in low-lying areas, urging officials to implement measures that do not inconvenience residents.
Revanth Reddy asked civic agencies to prevent waterlogging and maintain smooth traffic flow in rain-hit zones in Hyderabad. GHMC, city police, HYDRAA, city traffic police and electricity department have been asked to work in coordination. Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao has been tasked with regularly reviewing the situation.
Following the Chief Minister’s directives, the state disaster management department issued detailed guidelines on Wednesday to all district collectors, stressing timely flood management and damage minimisation. “Weather advisories are issued during abnormal weather events such as heavy rain, hailstorms, and gusty winds. Districts must act swiftly and efficiently,” stated the department's circular.
With the monsoon expected to arrive earlier this year, possibly by the last week of May, the IMD has predicted normal to above-normal rainfall across Telangana. The advisory highlighted that certain districts, due to geographical vulnerability, require quicker preventive and rescue responses.
Learning from the delays during the August–September 2024 rains, when NDRF teams from Vijayawada could not reach in time, the state government has since constituted 12 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams. These teams, comprising 100 specially trained police personnel each from the Telangana State Police (TGSP) battalions, are strategically stationed to ensure response within an hour.
Further strengthening its disaster readiness, the state government has arranged for the permanent stationing of three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams in Hyderabad. The government has also requested additional NDRF deployments in vulnerable districts for the upcoming season.
All erstwhile district headquarters' fire stations are now equipped with flood-relief tools and personnel have been trained to function as auxiliary SDRF units. HYDRAA teams are operational in GHMC areas and municipalities in Rangareddy district for immediate flood relief.
District collectors have been advised to coordinate with assigned SDRF units and simultaneously coordinate with fire-based SDRF teams through the respective district fire officers. For NDRF support beyond pre-deployed teams, requests must be routed via the state disaster management department. The rescue teams of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) will be deployed in operational districts for emergency relief.
