Flood threat as Godavari swells

Hyderabad, September 26

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao today directed officials of Karimnagar, Warangal and Khammam districts to be on alert in view of flood threat due to the swollen Godavari.

He called for a specific alert for the flood-prone Bhadrachalam in Khammam and Ramannagudem in Warangal and told officials to be in touch with their Maharashtra counterparts to assess the flood situation and take steps accordingly, a release from the CM’s office said.

Rao, who visited Karimnagar, conducted an aerial survey of Mid Manair Dam (MMD) and other rain-affected areas. He also held a review meeting with officials on the situation arising out of the heavy rains and flooding.

Water from the under-construction MMD in Karimnagar started overflowing from the bund and the earthen embankment got breached, resulting in floods in the area.

The MMD faced trouble due to heavy inflow of water from upper Manair. The decade-long delay in carrying out construction led to the flooding, Rao said. He ordered cancellation of contract of agencies which delayed the work and to invite fresh tenders.

Asserting that the bund of Mid Manair breached about 130 m, officials said there would not be a major problem even if floods came henceforth. The CM asked the administration to pay ex gratia to the family members of those who died in rain-related incidents and to those whose houses were damaged. He said the estimates on the damages would be prepared soon.

In view of the flood situation, Rao cancelled the Cabinet meeting scheduled today and asked the ministers to work in coordination with district-level officials and ensure evacuation from the low-lying areas to safety. “We are taking measures in view of heavy rains in the last few days in the state, including Hyderabad, which is unprecedented after the 1908 floods in the city,” he said. — PTI