Hyderabad, September 13: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has once again appealed to the central government for immediate financial assistance to help the state recover from the devastation caused by heavy rains and floods. In a meeting with a central team of officials, the Chief Minister called for the release of funds without stringent conditions, urging the Centre to relax its rules regarding disaster fund utilization.
Reddy highlighted that despite Telangana’s substantial need for assistance, the state has been unable to utilize even a single rupee from the Rs. 1,350 crore available under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) due to rigid regulations. He pointed out that the existing guidelines allocate just Rs. 1 lakh for every kilometer of damaged road, an amount insufficient to even carry out temporary repairs. The Chief Minister requested that the Centre reassess the situation, taking into account the specific circumstances and the Schedule of Rates (SSR) applicable in Telangana, so that appropriate disaster relief can be provided.
The state has faced extensive damage from the recent rains, with the estimated loss already crossing Rs. 10,032 crore, according to preliminary assessments from various departments. Reddy noted that these figures are expected to rise as further reports come in. Thousands of homes have been damaged, and vast swathes of agricultural land have been destroyed. Farmers have been particularly hard hit, with fields covered in boulders, gravel, and mud, rendering them unfit for cultivation.
Despite the widespread destruction, Reddy credited the vigilance of ministers and officials for reducing the loss of life. He explained that the disaster had washed away roads, culverts, and lakes in many areas, far exceeding initial damage estimates.
During the meeting, which took place at the Secretariat on Friday, the Chief Minister was joined by Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, Khammam MP Raghuram Reddy, and other senior officials. The central team, led by NDMA advisor Colonel KP Singh, included officials such as Shantinath Shivappa, Mahesh Kumar, Nayal Kansan, Rakesh Meena, and Shashivardhan Reddy.
Call for Long-term Solutions
Reddy emphasized that the permanent solution to recurring floods, especially in Khammam town, would be the construction of a retaining wall along the Munner River. He urged the central government to allocate adequate funds for this project, with the state willing to bear its share of the cost. Additionally, he requested support for relocating residents of Rakasi Thanda, Satyanarayana Thanda, and other villages in flood-prone areas to safer locations.
The Chief Minister also called for a shift in focus from post-disaster relief to preventive measures. He stressed the importance of early warning systems for extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall and heatwaves, to mitigate future damage.
To bolster flood preparedness, Reddy shared plans to train police battalions in different districts for disaster response. He proposed that 100 personnel from each battalion receive specialized training, in collaboration with the NDRF, on the necessary equipment, skills, and relief measures.
Environmental Concerns Raised
The recent incident in the Medaram forest area, where nearly 50,000 acres of trees were uprooted, was another major topic of discussion. While the Chief Minister acknowledged that the damage occurred in a forested area, he warned that such incidents could pose a significant risk if they happen in more populated regions. He urged the Centre to send a team of experts to conduct a scientific study of the incident and recommend measures to prevent similar events in the future.
The central officials, who had toured the flood-affected districts of Khammam, Mahbubabad, and Suryapet over two days, took note of the damage. Their visit, aimed at assessing the situation on the ground, is expected to expedite the release of funds and resources needed for the state’s recovery.
