Revanth Reddy estimates Rs 5,000 crore flood damage, urges immediate central aid

HYDERABAD: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy estimated that the recent floods caused damage worth Rs 5,000 crore across the state.

During a review meeting in Suryapet, the Chief Minister urged the central government to allocate Rs 2,000 crore immediately to assist with relief efforts. He also invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the state to assess the damage firsthand.

In Suryapet district, which received a record 30 cm of rainfall, the Chief Minister reviewed the crop and property losses, particularly the damage caused by the breach of the Sagar Left Canal. He was briefed by officials who submitted a preliminary report on the extensive damage. The Chief Minister claimed that officials were consistently available to the public and that ministers and public representatives were actively engaged at the grassroots level to manage the situation.

Revanth Reddy emphasised the precautions taken by the government to prevent further loss of life and property, noting that ministers were continuously touring the affected areas. He also informed Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Rahul Gandhi about the severe conditions in Khammam and Nalgonda districts, requesting additional assistance.

The Chief Minister announced several relief measures, including Rs 5 lakh compensation for families who lost their lives, Rs 50,000 for livestock loss, Rs 10,000 per acre for crop damage, and new houses for those who lost their homes under the Indiramma housing scheme. Rs 5 crore was also allocated to the Suryapet Collector as immediate relief. He also gave district collectors the authority to decide on school closures based on local conditions.

Thanking former Vice President Venkaiah Naidu for his assistance, Revanth Reddy called Union Ministers Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay to work towards securing central funds for the state. He criticised those focused on politics during this critical time, pointing out that some were tweeting from abroad or staying in farmhouses while avoiding the flood-affected areas.

Revanth Reddy highlighted his continuous monitoring of the situation over the last three days despite a lack of sleep. He announced plans to establish the Telangana Disaster Response Force (TGDRF) to better manage such crises in the future. He also noted that electricity was swiftly restored despite 25 major power towers collapsing. He instructed officials to remain vigilant to prevent further electrical issues or accidents.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister directed officials to identify people in low-lying areas and relocate them to rehabilitation centres immediately to minimise damage. He warned residents to avoid crossing damaged or flooded roads and instructed revenue, police, and other department officials to form teams to ensure adequate precautions were taken across all affected areas.