Telangana: Officials Issue First Warning As Godavari In Spate At Bhadrachalam

The authorities have issued alerts to people residing in low-lying areas along the river, as there is a threat of flooding.

The Godavari River crossed the first danger mark at Bhadrachalam on Thursday, reaching a water level of 44.3 feet, which is above the 43 feet danger mark. The increased water level is due to heavy rains in the catchment areas of the Godavari basin, leading to the river being in spate. As a result, the authorities have issued alerts to people residing in low-lying areas along the river, as there is a threat of flooding. In July last year, Bhadrachalam had been marooned for the first time in 32 years after Godavari had crossed 70ft mark, wreaking havoc in adjacent areas.

The Chief Minister of Telangana, K. Chandrasekhar Rao, reviewed the situation and instructed Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari to take emergency measures in the affected areas. The government machinery, including the police department, has been placed on high alert to take immediate action. The CM asked the officials to be prepared to carry out relief measures on a war footing and shift people to safe places from the habitations which are likely to be flooded in Bhadrachalam. 

Anudeep Durishetti, the Collector of Hyderabad, has been directed to proceed to Bhadrachalam to oversee and implement relief measures based on the flood situation. The government has set up control rooms in MRO offices and the Collector's office, as well as in the state Secretariat, to coordinate on relief operations.

The chief minister also ordered that helicopters be made available to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for conducting relief operations. Relevant government departments, including Revenue, Panchayati Raj, Medical and Health, and Disaster Management, have been instructed to be alert and take immediate action to provide relief. The Chief Secretary is tasked with monitoring the situation regularly.

The state government has assured its readiness to face any situation arising from the current floods and heavy rainfall in various parts of the state.

 Two-Day Holiday For Offices, Schools, And Colleges In Hyderabad

Meanwhile, in view of incessant rains in Hyderabad, the government of Telangana has declared a two-day holiday on July 21 and 22 for all government offices and educational institutions within the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits.

The chief minister stated that emergency services such as medical, milk supply, etc., will continue uninterrupted. Rao also issued an order to the State Labour Department, directing them to take measures to ensure that private companies within the GHMC limits also announce holidays for their respective offices.