Hyderabad: Monsoon preparedness took centre stage as Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy directed officials to remain fully alert during the rainy season and warned of strict action against negligence.
Reviewing monsoon preparedness at the Bodhi Pavilion in MCR HRD Institute, he instructed departments to take proactive measures and prevent inconvenience to the public.
Rajya Sabha MP V. Narender Reddy, government adviser Sudarshan Reddy, Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao and DGP C.V. Anand attended the meeting.
Senior officials from irrigation, municipal administration, police, health, agriculture and meteorology departments also participated.
The Chief Minister reviewed the situation that emerged in the Core Urban Region (CURE) following rainfall on June 9.
He expressed displeasure over severe traffic congestion reported in Cyberabad and other parts of Hyderabad.
Revanth Reddy said departments failed to respond effectively despite weather warnings.
He recalled that the government had conducted a review meeting on June 1 and issued detailed instructions ahead of the rainy season.
However, he said some officials failed to act on those directions.
The Chief Minister observed a lack of coordination between municipal and police departments during the June 9 rains.
He directed the Chief Secretary and DGP to examine the reasons and take action against responsible officials.
Further, he instructed departments to act in advance based on weather forecasts.
He said personnel from municipal administration, HYDRAA, traffic police, the Water Board and civil police must remain in the field during heavy rainfall.
The Chief Minister said police personnel from the commissioner level to field staff must actively monitor conditions on roads.
He warned that authorities would face strict action if traffic gridlocks recur during rain.
He also directed the DGP to fill vacancies in the traffic wing immediately.
Meanwhile, Revanth Reddy said the government would not tolerate problems caused by human error.
He asked officials to prepare action plans using data on waterlogging points, black spots and traffic congestion zones.
The Chief Minister also expressed concern over power disruptions caused by fallen trees.
He instructed electricity officials to restore supply quickly and deploy mobile transformers where necessary.
Further, he directed irrigation officials to strengthen safety measures at all projects during the monsoon season.
He said engineers must remain stationed at project sites and follow operational protocols strictly.
Officials should not leave project locations without permission from senior authorities, he added.
The Chief Minister also directed the Finance Department to release funds required for repairs and maintenance of project gates.
Monsoon preparedness review focuses on coordination and response
With the agricultural season beginning, Revanth Reddy instructed agriculture officials to ensure adequate availability of seeds and urea.
He suggested distributing urea through Rythu Vedikas and assigning responsibility for stock management to local agriculture officers.
Revenue officials should also assist in monitoring distribution, he said.
Additionally, he directed authorities to create awareness among farmers about the eight fine-rice seed varieties promoted by the Agriculture Department.
The Chief Minister instructed officials to prevent contamination of drinking water during the rainy season.
He asked the Water Board to conduct regular water quality tests and take preventive measures.
Revanth Reddy also directed the Health Department to remain prepared for seasonal diseases.
He said effective monsoon preparedness requires close coordination between health, sanitation and civic agencies.
He instructed officials to stock essential medicines and strengthen disease surveillance.
Further, he asked sanitation staff to remain vigilant as stagnant water could create unhygienic conditions.
The Chief Minister directed Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan to coordinate with municipal administration, the Water Board and the Health Department.
He also instructed the DGP to conduct regular reviews with police, traffic, fire, HYDRAA and disaster management agencies to strengthen monsoon preparedness throughout the season.