Don’t panic, take govt help: KTR tells rain victims

Municipal Administration Minister K Taraka Ramarao, who is busy inspecting the rain-hit areas and consoling the families, roads and assets in the twin cities, today allayed fears that the rains have come down and people need not panic.

Speaking at a review meeting along with ministers Talasani Srinivas Yadav, Dr C Lakshma Reddy, GHMC Commissioner B Janardhan Reddy and others, KTR said all the city-based ministers toured the affected areas on Thursday night till 3.30 am and inspected nalas, drainages and low-lying areas following unprecedented rains, which almost left a trail of destruction. Vaccination was being done to prevent the possible spread of contagious diseases and special care was being taken on people’s health due to heavy rains and floods.

Asked whether Hyderabad was a safe city, KTR replied that except a few colonies on the outskirts, 95 per cent are safe and it is 99 per cent safe, according officials. On illegal constructions over the canal bunds and other areas, he  said they were looking into legal tangles, he said and appealed to the people not to get carried away by rumors.

Stating that the State government is geared up to provide all help to the people through National Disaster Response Force, Army, Police, GHMC and other staff, KTR appealed to the people to stay home and avoid venturing out as it will compound their problems due to heavy rains. “We are just ready to take on sort of incident and situation and the affected people should not lose hope”, he urged. He said the officials were asked to remain more alert and coordinate to reduce the problem caused due to heavy rains and floods in many colonies and low-lying areas.

While the cinema industry came forward to provide help, some of the private agencies are supplying food packets, water sachets to the people in rain-hit areas. Revenue, Health, Electricity, Police, GHMC and other wings are attending to the complaints immediately, he said. He also asked the people to file complaints about their problems to toll-free number 100 and 040-2111 1111. Pumps were pressed into service to remove flood waters logged in the cellars of apartments and houses at various places.

Later, KTR also made a visit to Hussain Sagar along with the officials. (NSS)