MAHABUBABAD: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has directed district collectors to create local action plans to address illegal structures within the full tank levels and buffer zones of water bodies, in response to widespread calls for expanding the Hyderabad Disaster Relief and Assets Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRAA) across the state.
Revanth emphasized that his government is committed to removing encroachments on tanks and nalas, recalling how flooding was prevented in Hyderabad’s Ramnagar area after similar measures. He stressed that there will be no compromise on this policy.
Following his visit to flood-affected areas, the Chief Minister announced a comprehensive survey of the Akeru stream to minimize future flood damage. He instructed Mahabubabad District Collector Adwait Kumar Singh to demolish illegal structures encroaching on lakes and tanks to reduce flooding during heavy rains.
Revanth noted that encroachments on government lands and lakes are more detrimental than natural disasters. He highlighted that flooding in Khammam was exacerbated by such encroachments, specifically mentioning a former minister’s illegal occupation of nalas and lakes.
The Chief Minister urged the collector to seek legal advice before taking action and offered to provide legal support if needed.
Focus on Disease Prevention
Revanth also directed district collectors to focus on preventing seasonal disease outbreaks following the rains. He called for coordinated efforts among the Medical and Health, Panchayat Raj, and Revenue departments, and advised providing water tankers to help residents clean their homes.
He instructed the immediate restoration of power in 106 villages and announced Rs 5 lakh in compensation for families of flood victims. Revanth encouraged district in-charge ministers, MLAs, and MPs to gather details of the losses suffered by residents and seek donations to support relief efforts.
Political Criticism
Revanth criticized BRS Working President KT Rama Rao for making statements on social media while being abroad, and accused Chief Minister KCR of neglecting flood victims. He challenged former Minister T. Harish Rao to address the encroachments in Khammam and offered to debate governance issues between BRS and Congress.
During his visit to Mahabubabad, Revanth promised compensation of Rs 10,000 per acre to farmers and announced plans to construct Indiramma houses for residents of flood-prone areas. He also pledged a government job and an Indiramma house to the brother of a flood victim.
Revanth compared the flood damage in Khammam and Krishna districts, praising the alertness of Khammam’s ministers. He noted that helicopters were deployed to the affected areas from Vijayawada and requested the Centre to declare the floods a national calamity, inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the state.