The state government has reported to the central team that due to the heavy rains in Telangana from August 31 to September 2, the damage is over Rs.9 thousand crores.
–Galla S Kiran Kumar, Bureau Chief
Mangilal, a farmer of Sitaranthanda, Maripeda mandal, Mahabubabad district, who are pleading with the Union Assistant Secretary for Home Affairs, Colonel KP Singh, to help them.
Today, Hyderabad: The state government has reported to the central team that the heavy rains in Telangana from August 31 to September 2 have caused a loss of over Rs.9 thousand crores. It appealed for generous assistance to support the victims. A total of eight sectors in Suryapet, Nalgonda, Warangal, Mahabubabad, Mulugu, Khammam, Bhadradri-Kottagudem and Nagarkurnool districts have been severely affected. In Khammam, Huzurnagar, Kodada, Suryapet, Mahbubabad and Madhira towns, colonies, slums and low-lying areas were submerged and public life was disrupted. While the initial loss was estimated at Rs 5,438 crore, the actual estimate was double that. So far, 35 people have died, 28,869 houses have collapsed, 17,916 people have been rendered homeless and 75,097 cattle have been killed, it said. A six-member central team led by Union Home Secretary Colonel KP Singh reached the state on Wednesday to assess the flood damage. Viewed a photo exhibition on flood damage at the Secretariat. Later CS Shantikumari met with the senior officials of various departments. Special Chief Secretary of State Disaster Prevention Department Arvind Kumar along with top officials of Agriculture, Roads, Buildings, Municipal Administration, Panchayat Raj, Energy, Animal Husbandry and Forest Departments gave them a power point presentation on the damage details.
We responded quickly and reduced the loss of life
CS Shanthikumari, who met with the central team, said… “We received the warnings of the meteorological department in a very short time and alerted the authorities. We were able to reduce the loss of life by taking quick action. The CM, Deputy Chief Minister and State Ministers regularly reviewed the situation and monitored the flood, rehabilitation and relief efforts. Generously provide necessary funds to carry out large-scale relief and rehabilitation programs in flood-affected areas. Make guidelines to this effect. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) should provide training and other facilities to the special teams being formed by the state along with NDRF to participate in relief operations in emergency situations in the state. State Government Special Chief Secretaries K. Ramakrishna Rao, Vikas Raj, Municipal Administration, Animal Husbandry Department Chief Secretaries Danakishore, Savyasachi Ghosh, Housing Secretary Jyoti Buddha Prakash, Agriculture Department Secretary Raghunandan Rao and other top officials participated in the meeting.
How did those trees fall?
During the power point presentation, Arvind Kumar, Special Chief Secretary of the State Disaster Prevention Department, mentioned the incident of trees falling in an area of 332 hectares in Ethurunagaram forest and the environmental disaster. Reacting to this, the central team suggested that a comprehensive study should be done to find out the root cause of the falling of those trees.