Telangana CM orders High Alert During Monsoon, Warns Officials of Strict Action for Lapses
Hyderabad, June 14 (TNT): Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday directed all departments to remain on high alert throughout the monsoon season and warned that stringent action would be taken against officials found negligent in handling rain-related emergencies.
Chairing a high-level review meeting on monsoon preparedness, the Chief Minister stressed that all departments must work in close coordination to ensure that citizens do not face inconvenience during heavy rains.
Expressing displeasure over the severe traffic congestion witnessed across Hyderabad, particularly in Cyberabad, during the heavy rainfall on June 9, Revanth Reddy said officials had failed to effectively alert the public despite advance warnings issued by the Meteorological Department.
The Chief Minister recalled that he had reviewed monsoon preparedness on June 1 and issued specific directions, but observed that a lack of coordination among municipal, police and traffic authorities had resulted in significant hardship to commuters.
Directing Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao and Director General of Police C. V. Anand to identify and act against officials responsible for lapses, he warned that recurrence of such situations would not be tolerated.
Revanth Reddy instructed officials to take proactive measures based on weather forecasts and ensure that personnel from Municipal Administration, HYDRAA, Police, Traffic Police, Water Board and other departments remain in the field during periods of heavy rainfall.
He directed that police personnel, from Commissioners to Constables, should be deployed on roads during heavy rains to ensure smooth traffic movement and effective emergency response.
The Chief Minister also ordered the DGP to immediately fill vacancies in the Traffic Department and warned of strict action if traffic congestion caused by administrative failures recurs.
Officials were instructed to prepare a comprehensive database of waterlogging points, accident-prone stretches and locations vulnerable to traffic congestion during the monsoon.
Reviewing the power sector, Revanth Reddy expressed concern over electricity disruptions caused by fallen trees and directed power utilities to ensure immediate restoration of supply and deploy mobile transformers wherever necessary.
He instructed electricity department personnel to remain on field duty during adverse weather conditions.
On irrigation preparedness, the Chief Minister directed that all reservoirs and irrigation projects strictly adhere to operational protocols and ordered engineers to remain stationed at project sites throughout the monsoon season. He warned of disciplinary action against officials leaving project locations without prior approval.
He also directed Principal Secretary (Finance) Sandeep Kumar Sultania to immediately release funds required for the repair and maintenance of project gates.
With the agricultural season underway, Revanth Reddy instructed officials to ensure adequate availability of seeds and fertilisers, particularly urea.
He suggested that urea distribution be carried out through Rythu Vedikas and directed agriculture and revenue officials to closely monitor stocks and distribution.
The Chief Minister also called for awareness campaigns on the eight fine-variety paddy seed varieties recently introduced by the Agriculture Department.
Reviewing drinking water supply and public health preparedness, Revanth Reddy directed officials to prevent contamination of drinking water during the monsoon and ordered regular water quality testing by the Water Board.
He instructed the Health Department to maintain adequate stocks of medicines and remain prepared to tackle water-borne and communicable diseases, while directing sanitation staff to remain vigilant against unhygienic conditions caused by stagnant water.
The Chief Minister emphasised that public safety and uninterrupted civic services should remain the highest priority throughout the monsoon season and directed all departments to maintain constant coordination for effective disaster management and emergency response.
