Cyclone Montha: Telangana Administration On Alert

Following heavy rains triggered by Cyclone Montha across Telangana, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy today instructed the entire administration to remain on high alert.

The Chief Minister reviewed the cyclone's impact, particularly on paddy harvesting, and directed officials to take the necessary precautions to prevent crop losses. He also instructed that special arrangements be made at paddy and cotton procurement centres.

Officials briefed the CM that the cyclone's impact was expected to be more severe in Khammam, Warangal and Nalgonda districts, and the CM asked the SDRF and NDRF teams to carry out rescue operations in coordination with district Collectors in all rain-affected areas. With Hyderabad witnessing heavy rains, Revanth Reddy directed local civic authorities to deploy disaster management teams to rescue people in inundated areas in the city, too.

In view of overflowing rivulets and canals, the Chief Minister instructed district officials to evacuate families residing in low-lying areas and shift them to relief camps. The irrigation department was asked to closely monitor the water levels in all projects, reservoirs and other water bodies. District Collectors were instructed to remain alert before releasing water from overflowing reservoirs, and to keep sandbags ready wherever heavy inflows are recorded.

Reviewing the impact on transportation, Reddy directed officials to stop vehicular movement on low-level bridges and causeways submerged under floodwaters. Police and revenue officials were ordered to erect barricades near flooded bridges and monitor the situation.

Following the stoppage of the Golconda Express and Konark Express trains at the Dornakal junction and the Gundratimadugu station respectively, as well as the diversion of several trains by the railway authorities, the Chief Minister instructed officials to make alternative arrangements to ensure no inconvenience to the stranded passengers.

The Chief Minister also discussed potential epidemics, and instructed municipal and village sanitation staff to carry out continuous sanitation work to prevent mosquito breeding and waterborne diseases.

He said that adequate medicines, medical camps and preventive measures were being arranged to safeguard lives, property and livestock in rain-hit areas.

Departments including revenue, electricity, panchayat raj, roads & buildings, health, police and fire services were directed to work in close coordination during the crisis. The GHMC, HYDRAA, SDRF and fire department personnel were asked to respond promptly to public distress calls in Hyderabad.

For the unversed, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast very heavy rainfall in three Telangana districts due to Cyclone Montha's effects. A red alert has been issued for Warangal, Hanumakonda and Mahabubabad districts, while an orange alert is in place for Adilabad, Nirmal, Jagtial, Mancherial, Rajanna Sircilla, Peddapalli, Karimnagar, Siddipet, Jangaon, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Jayashankar Bhupalpally and Suryapet. Additionally, yellow warnings have been issued for Kumuram Bheem Asifabad, Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Medak, Rangareddy, Nalgonda, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem and Khammam districts.