Telangana Floods: Death Toll Reaches 16, CM Revanth Reddy Urges Centre to Declare National Calamity

Hyderabad: Since August 31, Telangana has been facing severe floods due to heavy rains, resulting in significant loss of life and damage to property. At least 16 people have died in rain-related incidents, with others still missing. Crops spread across lakhs of acres have suffered damage.

Chief Minister’s Actions and Appeals:
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has called on the central government to declare the floods a national calamity. He has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to visit the affected areas and extend help from the Centre, emphasizing the need for national-level support in this crisis. He described the Centre’s role as akin to that of an “elder brother” and appealed for assistance.

Preliminary Damage Estimates:
The initial estimate of the damage caused by the floods is around Rs 5,438 crore. The state government has announced compensation measures for affected families:

Rs 5 lakh for families of the deceased.
Rs 50,000 for loss of livestock.
Rs 5,000 for the loss of sheep and goats.
Rs 10,000 per acre for crop damage.
Rs 10,000 for those whose houses were damaged.

Government Measures:
Revanth Reddy directed officials to immediately assess the damage to crops and properties. He also announced an immediate relief fund of Rs 5 crore for the severely affected districts—Khammam, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mahbubabad, and Suryapet. A system will be set up at the government’s Command Control Centre for emergency management, and eight police battalions will receive training similar to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

Opposition’s Criticism:
Revanth Reddy criticized the opposition party, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), for their alleged negligence and lack of response. He specifically targeted BRS President K. Chandrasekhar Rao for not visiting the flood victims and accused him of being indifferent. Reddy also criticized BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao, who was in the US at the time, for commenting on the situation only through social media.

Further Measures and Coordination:
During a review meeting, the CM instructed district officials to remain vigilant in areas forecasted to receive heavy rainfall. District Collectors were told to set up call centers to assist the affected citizens. In Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Rachakonda, Police Commissioners were asked to address traffic problems caused by the rains. CM also directed officials to carry out road repairs and resolve power supply issues promptly.

Central Government’s Response:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have spoken with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, assuring support from the central government.

Conclusion:
The Telangana government, under CM Revanth Reddy, is actively responding to the flood crisis with relief measures, while seeking greater assistance and recognition from the central government. Meanwhile, the state faces political tensions with accusations of negligence from the opposition parties.