Heavy rains, flash floods: Alert all departments, take quick safety measures, says KCR

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has instructed chief secretary Somesh Kumar to alert all departments concerned and take quick safety measures in the wake of incessant rains in the state. He asked the chief secretary to hold video conferences with district collectors and alert the NDRF and rescue teams in flood-prone areas.

Following a red alert in Telangana and Maharashtra, the CM said he will review the situation from time to time and also hold a video conference on Saturday (9 July) or Sunday (10 July). He said ministers, MPs, MLAs, local body representatives, and people's representatives should be alert in their respective areas. KCR called on people's representatives to assist in rescue operations and ensure no damages occur.

The Chief Minister appealed to people to stop taking risks during heavy rains. He urged them not to venture out of their homes unless there is an emergency and to take self-precautions.

Irrigation wing on alert

In the wake of heavy inflows and flooding in the river Godavari and Pranahitha, KCR has alerted the irrigation officials in the state and instructed them to take necessary steps.

Revenue programmes postponed

Following heavy rains, the Chief Minister postponed the "Revenue Awareness Programme" with ministers, MLAs, and collectors set to be held at Pragati Bhavan on 11 July. He said the proposed state-wide 'Revenue Sadassulu' from 15 July is also postponed. The CM said the new schedule for the two programmes will be announced once the state starts seeing normal weather conditions.

Nizamabad, Nirmal see crazy downpour

Meanwhile, north Telangana districts witnessed crazy downpours. Nirmal and Nizamabad received heavy rainfall. Some parts of Nirmal even witnessed flash floods.

Weather observer T. Balaji tweeted, "Severe rains pouring everywhere in North Telangana. Particularly Nizamabad. Nirmal belt is one fire as few places recorded 90-100mm in just 3 hours. Big problem is that it is pouring in Godavari catchment areas which will cause floods. Other districts of North TS too unstoppable."

According to the Telangana State Development Planning Society's live cast of rainfall, at around 4:30 p.m on Saturday Mudhole in Nirmal received the state's highest rainfall of 202.8 mm, followed by Bhainsa in Nirmal (167.3 mm), and Mancherial in Nizamabad (159.3 mm).