Heavy rains continue to lash Telangana; State government puts administration on alert

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

A Santhi Kumari on Thursday said the administration has been put on alert as heavy rains continued to lash the state. The downpour led to inundation of low-lying areas and damage to roads at several places in the state with rivulets and other water bodies overflowing. In the temple town of Bhadrachalam, water level in Godavari river stood at 49.80 ft at 1 PM and the second flood warning was in force (third and final flood warning level is 53 ft), official sources said.

As there is every likelihood of the flood water reaching third danger mark, steps are being taken to shift people living in low lying areas to relief camps, an official release said. In the wake of heavy rains, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao directed Education Minister P Sabita Indra Reddy to declare holiday for all educational institutions in the state on Friday. As per directions of the Chief Minister, the flood situation in the state is being constantly monitored with senior officials along with district collectors and superintendents of police, the Chief Secretary said.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Fire Service teams are ready to take up any rescue and relief measures in case of any emergency, the official release said. A special control room to monitor the flood situation has been set up in the Secretariat. Three senior officials have been appointed in the control room and the situation is being constantly monitored, the Chief Secretary said.