Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy Reports Flood Damage at ₹10,320.72 Crore, Seeks Central Assistance
Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has informed a central team assessing the recent flood damage in the state that the estimated cost has reached ₹10,320.72 crore. He noted that this figure could increase as officials continue to evaluate the full extent of the damage.
In a recent meeting with the central officials who toured Khammam, Mahabubabad, and Suryapet districts, Revanth Reddy appealed for greater flexibility in utilizing the disaster response fund. He highlighted that although ₹1,350 crore is available in the state disaster response fund, current regulations prevent any expenditure from this allocation. Specifically, the rules limit spending to ₹1 lakh per kilometer of road damage, which Revanth Reddy argued is insufficient even for temporary repairs.
The Chief Minister also discussed the extensive crop losses and damage to agricultural fields caused by sand casting, which have severely impacted farmers. To mitigate future flood risks, particularly from the Munneru rivulet in Khammam, Revanth Reddy emphasized the need for constructing a retaining wall and requested central funding for this project. He assured that the state government is prepared to contribute to the construction.
Further, Revanth Reddy sought central assistance for reconstructing houses submerged in floods in Rakasi Thanda, Satyanarayana Thanda, and other low-lying areas, advocating for their relocation to safer sites.
Highlighting the importance of proactive disaster management, Revanth Reddy requested the Centre to enhance early warning systems for heavy rains, floods, and heatwaves. He also informed the central team about the state’s plan to establish a dedicated disaster response force comprising 100 police personnel from each battalion.
Additionally, Revanth Reddy reported severe damage from thunderstorms in the Eturunagaram reserve forest, where more than 50,000 trees were uprooted. He urged the Centre to send a team to study this phenomenon and provide immediate financial aid to restore normalcy in flood-affected areas. The central team acknowledged the unprecedented nature of the damage and promised to consider the Chief Minister’s requests.
