Uttam Puts Officials On Alert At Irrigation Projects Over Heavy Rains
The minister issued the orders during a high-level video conference with engineers-in-chief, chief engineers, superintending engineers, executive engineers, and deputy executive engineers from across the state.
Hyderabad: All irrigation department officers in Telangana have been ordered to stay at their stations, maintain round-the-clock vigil at dams, reservoirs, canals, and tanks, and act immediately to prevent breaches as the state braces for days of heavy to very heavy rain.
Irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy issued the emergency directives on Wednesday, authorising engineers to bypass red-tape and use funds instantly for flood-related works, while instructing top officials to remain physically present at their assigned project sites for the next 72 hours.
The minister issued the orders during a high-level video conference with engineers-in-chief, chief engineers, superintending engineers, executive engineers, and deputy executive engineers from across the state.
Principal secretary (irrigation) Rahul Bojja, special secretary Prashanth Patil, and other senior engineering officials also participated. The meeting followed Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s review with district collectors on Tuesday, after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast a prolonged spell of heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next three to four days.
Citing the latest IMD update, Uttam Kumar Reddy said Bhadradri Kothagudem, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Khammam, Medak, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Mulugu, Sangareddy, Suryapet, Vikarabad, and Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri districts were likely to receive very heavy rain in the next 24 hours, while many other parts of Telangana could experience heavy rainfall over the next 72 hours.
“No officer is to leave the station or apply for leave during this critical period,” he stressed. “From the smallest village-level structure to the largest dam site, every location must be watched closely. If you sense any danger or believe a situation is getting out of control, inform your district collector, your Chief Engineer, and the Irrigation Secretary immediately,” he told officials.
The minister directed that all major and medium projects, canals, embankments, lakes, and especially tanks be monitored without interruption, with special attention to those already full. If any breach is detected in a canal or tank, immediate steps must be taken to prevent damage or loss. Irrigation officials were told to work in coordination with the Revenue and Police Departments to patrol dam sites and vulnerable areas. A special watch must be maintained for signs of overflow, seepage, or structural distress.
To avoid delays in emergency response, Uttam Kumar Reddy authorised officials to utilise available financial resources immediately, as provided in GO 45, for flood protection works. “This is not the time for paperwork delays. Act fast, and act decisively,” he said.
