Rains: Ponnam Asks Officials to Stay Alert in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: In the wake of heavy rains that lashed Hyderabad in the early hours, Hyderabad in-charge Minister and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar directed officials to take all necessary precautionary measures and ensure that residents do not face any inconvenience.

The minister held a video conference with officials from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB), HYDRA, Electricity, Police, Revenue and other line departments to review the situation.

Prabhakar instructed officials to prevent water stagnation across the city and maintain close coordination among all departments. He directed them to continuously monitor vulnerable areas and take immediate steps wherever necessary.

The minister asked officials to remain on high alert in view of weather department warnings of heavy rainfall in Vikarabad and Sangareddy districts. He stressed the need for special precautionary measures in the catchment areas of Himayatsagar and Osmansagar reservoirs.

Prabhakar said heavy rainfall in the catchment areas could result in the reservoirs filling up and may necessitate the opening of gates to release water into the Musi River. In such a situation, he advised officials to inform GHMC, Electricity, HYDRA, Police, Revenue and other concerned departments in advance.

He also instructed authorities to alert residents living along the Musi river basin and keep arrangements ready to evacuate people from low-lying areas to safer locations, if required.

With Vinayaka Chavithi celebrations underway, Prabhakar asked officials to conduct continuous field inspections and take steps to prevent any untoward incidents caused by the rains.

He asked officials to pay particular attention to Ganesh pandals, immersion points, roads and low-lying areas, ensuring adequate safety measures throughout the celebrations.

The minister also ordered officials to immediately clear silt, soil and debris generated during desilting works at manholes, nalas and other locations.

He warned that leaving the material on roadsides or near nalas could result in it being washed back into the drainage system during rains, obstructing the free flow of water and potentially causing flooding.

Prabhakar asked officials to ensure that all dredged silt and debris are promptly transported away from the affected locations and that drainage channels remain clear.