Hyderabad: Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) Minister KT Rama Rao conducted a teleconference on the essential tasks to be done in the context of the heavy rains that hit Telangana last week.
He held the teleconference with senior officials of the Municipal Administration Department, Municipal Commissioners and Additional Collectors of local bodies.
During the meeting, various topics were discussed in detail, including steps to prevent waterborne diseases, provision of safe drinking water, sanitation management and the rehabilitation of highways and other arterial roads.
KTR asked officials to take relief measures as a challenge and exhorted them to move ahead with commitment. He said that the State government is prepared to provide any form of assistance in this regard.
Recalling that the leaves if all staff have been cancelled, he directed officials to coordinate with other departments. He emphasised the utmost importance of preventing loss of life.
KTR said that the water bodies in cities and towns are full and instructed officials to monitor them regularly. If need be, they have to be emptied according to guidelines, after consulting Irrigation Department officials. He also asked them to shift people from low-lying areas if necessary. Control rooms have to be set up in all districts including Hyderabad to coordinate relief work, he said.
KTR issued directions to ensure that towns and highways are cleared of the accumulated mud. He emphasised that roads in towns should be made motorable and that temporary repairs should be undertaken if necessary.
He emphasized the need for sanitation drives in all towns and instructed officials to provide additional staff and vehicles if necessary. KTR also emphasized the importance of undertaking large scale programmes to spray bleaching powder, sodium hypochlorite and mosquito repellents. He also mentioned the use of pumps to drain off accumulated water.
KTR asked officials to raise awareness among people about the importance of boiling water before drinking. He also instructed them to collaborate with Mission Bhagiratha officials to fix leaks in pipelines and ensure the chlorination of drinking water. He also directed officials to coordinate with District Medical and Health Officers (DMHOs) for medical and health programmes.
He instructed them to demolish dilapidated buildings and asked officials to coordinate with the electricity department regarding repair work.
