CM Reddy Appeals for Urgent Central Aid for Flood-Devastated Telangana

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has urged the Union Government to provide immediate financial assistance to flood-ravaged Telangana. The CM highlighted the extensive damages and strict central regulations that hinder relief efforts. He also pressed for preventive measures and additional resources for long-term flood management and disaster preparedness.

The Telangana Chief Minister, Revanth Reddy, has issued a fervent appeal to the Union Government for prompt financial aid to address the extensive damage caused by recent heavy rains and floods in the state. According to an official release from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Reddy is seeking unconditional central assistance to facilitate relief for the affected communities.

During discussions with a central team, Reddy underscored the challenges faced in accessing the Rs 1350 crore National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) due to stringent federal guidelines. He emphasized the impracticality of current regulations, which only allocate Rs 1 lakh for road repairs per kilometer — a sum insufficient for necessary temporary fixes, let alone more permanent solutions.

The CM shared that initial estimations by various state departments peg flood damages at Rs 10,320 crore. He illustrated the severe impact on agriculture, infrastructure, and human life, attributing the relatively lower human fatalities to vigilant state-level interventions. Reddy also proposed structural initiatives, such as the construction of a retaining wall at Munneru Vagu, and requested central funds for this project. Further, he advocated for greater emphasis on preemptive measures and disaster readiness, including enhanced weather forecasting capabilities and specialized training for local battalions.

The Chief Minister also brought up a unique incident involving the uprooting of trees in Medaram forest, seeking a scientific investigation into such anomalies. Central officials, who conducted two-day assessments in impacted districts, including Khammam, Mahbubabad, and Suryapet, committed to evaluating Reddy's proposals. The central team involved senior officials like NDMA advisor Colonel KP Singh and others from Delhi.

(With inputs from agencies.)