Army troops move to Bhadradri Kothagudem for rescue operations

HYDERABAD: The Telangana government on Friday sought the assistance of the Indian Army in rescue and relief efforts in the flood-ravaged Bhadradri Kothagudem district. On the directions of Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar spoke to the army officials and made a request to this effect.

Responding to the call, a contingent of 101 personnel including 68 from the infantry, 10 medical professionals and 23 engineers were rushed to Bhadradri Kothagudem. The troops would be operating as five independent teams and focus on different areas of the district.

The Telangana Tourism Department, on its part, has dispatched four special boats with volunteers to the district to assist in the ongoing rescue and relief operations. Similarly, the Fire Department also sent seven boats loaded with 210 life jackets and rescue men.

The state government has also deputed Singareni Colleries Managing Director N Sridhar as a special officer to oversee the relief work. All the necessary infrastructure available with the Singareni Colleries will be pressed into service at Bhadradri Kothagudem for this purpose.

Reviewing the flood situation at a high-level meeting in Hyderabad on Friday, the chief secretary asked the officials to ensure that there was no loss of life from the calamity. Somesh Kumar has been monitoring the situation on an hourly basis.

Godavari water level was recorded to be 75.6 ft. The Godavari had touched its highest ever level of 75.6 feet at Bhadrachalam on August 16, 1986, leaving a trail of destruction in and around the temple town.