CM Revanth vows relief, long-term flood measures after Kamareddy deluge

Kamareddy: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday toured the flood-ravaged Kamareddy district, promising immediate relief for victims and a permanent strategy to prevent such devastation in future.

CM inspects via helicopter ride

Arriving by helicopter, the Chief Minister took an aerial view of submerged habitations and damaged crops before inspecting washed-out roads, irrigation structures and silted farmland.

‘Worst flooding in a century’

CM Revanth met farmers and residents in flood-hit localities, listening to accounts of crop loss, road breaches and damaged infrastructure.

Calling it the worst flooding in a century, he assured that the government ‘will stand by every affected family’ and extend all possible help.

Damage assessment

Officials briefed the Chief Minister on the destruction of major and minor irrigation projects, severe road damage and heavy sand deposition in fields following last week’s record rainfall. Rescue operations had earlier been mounted to evacuate families from inundated colonies.

Need for a permanent flood-mitigation plan

The Chief Minister instructed departments to undertake emergency repairs of irrigation bunds and roads, draw up a permanent flood-mitigation plan to prevent future inundation, allocate special funds to remove sand deposited in farmlands and work out compensation packages for crop losses promptly.

He appreciated that the Pocharam project withstood heavy flows, averting a larger tragedy and asked engineers to document lessons for future flood management.

Modernise drainage to prevent further calamities

CM Revanth reiterated the government’s resolve to modernise drainage and strengthen embankments so that Kamareddy ‘does not face such a calamity again,’ directing senior officials to submit proposals for durable works within weeks.

Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, Panchayat Raj Minister Danasari Seethakka, Zaheerabad MP Suresh Kumar Shetkar, TPCC working president B Mahesh Kumar Goud, MLA Madan Mohan Rao and senior advisor Mohammed Ali Shabbir accompanied him.