
State disaster management authority gets more teeth
During a review meeting held at the Secretariat on Wednesday, Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy announced that the Telangana State Disaster Management Authority (TGSDMA) has been reorganised. He stated that the Chief Minister will serve as the Chairman of this institution, with the Ministers of Revenue, Home, Finance, Medical Health, Major Irrigation, Roads and Buildings, Panchayati Raj, and Rural Development as its members. The Chief Secretary will serve as the Member Convener, and the Special Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department will be the special invitee. 'We cannot prevent natural disasters but we can take steps to reduce their impact. If we take strong measures, we can reduce the damage. The authorities of the Krishna-Godavari catchment areas should be alerted in advance and should be alerted at all times. This will help us reduce the damage,' he said.
The Minister said that the Irrigation Department should provide advance information regarding the extent of flooding in catchment areas and which villages will be affected. Detailed information should include insights into floods in other states, locally received rainfall data, and the expected amount of water release. 'We are strengthening the TGSDMA to effectively deal with natural disasters and prevent loss of life and property to the greatest extent possible,' said Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy.
The Minister stated that a system should be established to provide real-time information on sudden floods and rains caused by climate change, coordinating with the IMD to scientifically analyse data and disseminate it from top to bottom. He also stressed that the information system should be further strengthened. He further assured that, instead of repeatedly shifting residents in catchment areas to safer places during floods, they should be provided with permanent residences.
'If the details of these residents are identified, we will construct Indiramma Houses under the additional quota,' the Minister added.
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Hans India
03-07-2025
- Hans India
State disaster management authority gets more teeth
Hyderabad: As part of strengthening its disaster management measures, the Telangana state government has decided to appoint special nodal officers for departments related to rains and floods, including irrigation, electricity, health, agriculture, police, and transport. During a review meeting held at the Secretariat on Wednesday, Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy announced that the Telangana State Disaster Management Authority (TGSDMA) has been reorganised. He stated that the Chief Minister will serve as the Chairman of this institution, with the Ministers of Revenue, Home, Finance, Medical Health, Major Irrigation, Roads and Buildings, Panchayati Raj, and Rural Development as its members. The Chief Secretary will serve as the Member Convener, and the Special Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department will be the special invitee. 'We cannot prevent natural disasters but we can take steps to reduce their impact. If we take strong measures, we can reduce the damage. The authorities of the Krishna-Godavari catchment areas should be alerted in advance and should be alerted at all times. This will help us reduce the damage,' he said. The Minister said that the Irrigation Department should provide advance information regarding the extent of flooding in catchment areas and which villages will be affected. Detailed information should include insights into floods in other states, locally received rainfall data, and the expected amount of water release. 'We are strengthening the TGSDMA to effectively deal with natural disasters and prevent loss of life and property to the greatest extent possible,' said Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy. The Minister stated that a system should be established to provide real-time information on sudden floods and rains caused by climate change, coordinating with the IMD to scientifically analyse data and disseminate it from top to bottom. He also stressed that the information system should be further strengthened. He further assured that, instead of repeatedly shifting residents in catchment areas to safer places during floods, they should be provided with permanent residences. 'If the details of these residents are identified, we will construct Indiramma Houses under the additional quota,' the Minister added.


Time of India
19-05-2025
- Time of India
Stalin reviews SW monsoon prep
Chennai: Chief minister on Monday reviewed and asked all district administrations to begin restoring canals and setting up . He also announced the release of water from . Chairing a high-level review meeting at the Secretariat, Stalin said Mettur reservoir held 76.06tmcft of water as of May 17. "There's enough storage to open the dam for on June 12." Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He then instructed officials to complete desilting of canals ahead of the release. Stalin, hopeful of a good season, also urged agriculture officials to ensure the availability of seeds and fertilizers and asked them to implement the Kuruvai special package effectively. While India Meteorological Department has predicted a normal monsoon, he said, the govt must remain proactive to address flash floods and landslides, particularly in the western ghats, including the Nilgris. "Coastal districts too must be ready," he said. Stalin directed district collectors to keep emergency control rooms operational 24x7. Relief centres must be clean and stocked with power, water, and food. He also called for real-time power disruption alerts via SMS, with estimated restoration times included. Referring to accident-prone spots due to ongoing road works, he asked agencies to install barricades, signage, and lighting to prevent mishaps. Ministers, bureaucrats and officials from the revenue, agriculture, water resources, and public works participated in the meeting.


Hans India
08-05-2025
- Hans India
Civil defence mock drills held in Hyderabad
Hyderabad: Blaring heavy sirens, people rushing to safer places, injured individuals being carried away on stretchers are some of the scenes witnessed during mock security drills carried out at four locations in the city on Wednesday. The mock drills were conducted for the first time after over 50 years. At exactly 4 pm, air sirens echoed throughout the city, accompanied by police patrol vehicle sirens at traffic intersections. Under the nationwide mega civil defence mock drill with a codename 'Operation Abhyaas', mock drills like air raids, multiple fire emergencies, and search and rescue operations among others were carried out between 4 pm and 4:30 pm on Wednesday, following the directive of the Union Ministry Of Home Affairs. The mock drills were held at four primary locations - Secunderabad Cantonment, Golconda, Nacharam NFC, and Kanchanbagh near DRDO. Additional drills were conducted at the Telangana state Secretariat, Mehdipatnam, Mallapur, and Cyber Towers junction. At around 3.45 pm, officials made an announcement advising the residents not to panic and remain calm. The drill commenced at 4 pm, with air raid sirens sounding across the city for two minutes. People were instructed to seek shelter in safety places, stay tuned to official communication channels, and avoid spreading or believing in rumours. Those in the streets were advised to lie flat in low-lying areas and cover their heads for protection. By 4:15 pm, the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) issued alerts simulating air raid impacts at four locations in the city. Civil defence services responded by 4:20 pm. The police secured the affected areas, managed crowds, and assisted in evacuating the injured. Fire and rescue teams had initiated operations. Medical teams carried out triage and provided first aid. At the drill near the Secunderabad Cantonment, at West Marredpally, the Disaster Response Force teams, ambulances, traffic personnel and fire tenders swept into the street. Officials in different types of suits sprang into action and rescued residents from the five-storey Millennium Residency and guided them across the road to the NCC Grounds - the designated safe shelter. A temporary emergency medical camp was also set up on the ground, with stretchers, beds along with first aid and medicines and ambulances to transfer critical patients. According to the officials, during the drill, emergency cases were attended to, and critical patients were shifted to multispeciality hospitals, about 100 metres from the spot. A similar drill was conducted at Nacharam in a complex of six blocks consisting of 370 flats. The emergency teams executed rehearsed protocols and at Kanchanbagh, the residents in BPS Twin towers in Champapet rushed out from the building after the sirens went off and shifted the individuals to the hospital, as per the scene. The drill was also conducted at Avalon apartments in Nanal Nagar in Golconda area. The residents were evacuated, given medical treatment to the injured and shifted to the nearby hospital. Sirens were sounded again at 4.30 pm to mark the end of the drills. Public representatives also participated in the drill. Senior police officials monitored the mock drills from the Integrated Command and Control Centre. A total of twelve civil agencies participated in the Hyderabad mock drill, including - National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Disaster Management Authority, Fire Services, Police and Traffic Police, Medical & Health Department, Railway and Revenue Officials, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), NCC, Scouts and Guides. After the completion of the mock drills conducted, Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand stressed that this was part of a deliberate strategy to build awareness and resilience.