Helicopters on stand by, forcible evacuation of dilapidated buildings in Hyderabad: KTR

"Property loss cannot be prevented during such disasters. But we are making all efforts to avoid loss of lives including forcible eviction. I express my heartfelt condolences to those who died in these incidents,"

Hyderabad: The State Government has kept two helicopters on the stand by so that they can be scrambled any time to take part in the rescue operations in the GHMC area, which witnessed an unprecedented flood situation following extremely heavy rains. The government has also deployed 700 personnel of the Disaster Response Force which were using non-mechanised boats to rescue people from inundated homes, the state Municipal Administration minister K T Rama Rao said here on Wednesday.

In another extraordinary move, the Government has also ordered forcible evacuation of those living in old and dilapidated buildings which are on the verfe of collapse. This was a measure to prevent loss of life as loss of property prevention is beyond the control of the government.

Making a statement in the Legislative Council, Rama Rao said the government is fully geared to meet the situtation arising out of the unprecedented rains Hyderabad received. “This is an unprecedented flood which was not witnessed in past 40 years. We have the entire administration to meet any eventuality and request people to cooperate with the officials in vacating the flooded-areas and shift to safe shelters,” he said.

Besides deploying the disaster response forces, the authorities have pressed into service boats and kept two helicopters on stand-by to rescue people from submerged areas. People have been advised against venturing out of their houses until the flood recedes in low-lying areas. The minsiter said entire administration is kept on state of high alert.

Ealier, Rama Rao held a teleconference with Chief Secretary Somesh Kkumar, DGP M Mahender Reddy, police commissioners, the district collectors of Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy and Medchal-Malkajgiri, officials of municipal administration, medical, GHMC, HMWSSB and disaster response force on Wednesday morning. They were instructed to expedite and intensify the rescue and relief measures to ensure that there was no loss of human lives.

About 700 personnel from Disaster Response Force in GHMC along with six non-mechanised boats as well as tourism boats have been deployed. The authorities also alerted the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and pressed their boats into service. Further, a holiday has been declared for all government offices and private organisations and institutions on Wednesday and Thursday in the wake of weather forecasts indicating more rains.

In the wake of landslides and collapse of old structures being reported in several parts of the city, the Minister ordered for forcible eviction of inmates of old and dilapidated building which are on the verge of collapsing. He informed the legislators that the GHMC had already served notices to several such buildings especially in the Old City area, but many residents have approached the courts or refusing to vacate their hereditary properties. He pointed out that a dilapidated structure in the Old City to which the officials have served demolition notices, collapsed on Monday night killing some residents.

“Property loss cannot be prevented during such disasters. But we are making all efforts to avoid loss of lives including forcible eviction. I express my heartfelt condolences to those who died in these incidents,” the Minister said. About 40 camps have been set up and people stuck in low-lying areas are being shifted to these safe shelters. They are being provided with food, medicines, blankets and other essentials.

The authorities are also identifying underconstruction sites an places with huge retaining walls in areas like Jubilee Hills and Banjara Hills where landslides are likely to occur. People living in adjancent areas are being shifted to safety shelters. Roadside destitutes are also being shifting to rescue shelters. All the 104 service ambulances have been deployed along with the medical staff by taking all precautions while serving the needy in the wake of the COVID pandemic.

The officials were directed to increase the number of meals being served across 155 Annapurna centres by four-folds from about 40,000 meals per day to 1.6 lakh meals per day. They will supply meals during both lunch and dinner for the needy over next three days.

Senior IAS and IPS officers have been deputed as zonal in-charges to oversee the relief and rescue operations as well as take immediate measures to restore normalcy. The authorities are monitoring the flood levels in Himayatsagar and Hussainsagar considering heavy inflows in Musi River. Water is being released downstream from both Himayatsagar and Hussainsagar. Patrolling teams have been deployed to keep people on alert and avoid venturing out especially near the banks of Musi River and its catchment areas.

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