PaperDabba News Desk: July 18, 2024
The state has witnessed extensive rainfall, leading to alarming flood situations in various regions. Officials are on high alert to manage the situation and ensure public safety.
Heavy Rainfall Causes Major Flooding
In Bhadradri Kothagudem district, a significant flood occurred at Pedda Vagu due to heavy inflow. The dam’s gates were lifted, causing water to inundate the downstream villages. The situation prompted the state government to take swift action to prevent loss of life and property.
Teleconference with the Chief Secretary
Chief Secretary Shanti Kumari conducted a teleconference this evening to review the rescue and rehabilitation operations. She communicated with the District Collector, SP, and senior officials from the Irrigation Department to coordinate the efforts. The teleconference included DGP Jitender, Disaster Management Department DG, and Irrigation Department Secretary Rahul Bojja.
Rescue Operations in Full Swing
During the teleconference, the Chief Secretary emphasized the Chief Minister’s directives to avoid loss of life. With three gates of the Pedda Vagu opened water gushed into four nearby villages, trapping 28 farmers in the floodwaters. Rescue teams from the Revenue and Disaster Management departments promptly deployed two helicopters to evacuate the trapped individuals to safer locations. The District Collector reported that efforts are ongoing to rescue another 20 people.
Relief and Rehabilitation Efforts
Currently, NDRF and state rescue teams are deeply involved in the relief and rehabilitation operations. The Collector mentioned that the evacuation process to relief camps is underway for Gummadivelli, Koyagudem, Kothuru, and Gajulapalli villages. The Chief Secretary assured that all necessary support from Hyderabad would be provided to ensure the safety of the residents.
Preventive Measures and Future Actions
The Chief Secretary instructed the district administration to take proactive measures to prevent breaches in nearby tanks and ponds. The DGP highlighted the police force’s involvement in the relief operations due to the heavy rains and flood conditions. Rahul Bojja, Secretary of the Irrigation Department, explained that the gates had to be lifted due to an unexpected influx of 40,000 cusecs of water. He also mentioned that senior officials, including the Chief Engineer, are heading to the affected areas to oversee the situation.
