Hyderabad rains: CM Revanth admits officials failed to act despite advance warnings

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy admitted that officials failed to act on advance warnings, leading to severe waterlogging and traffic snarls in Hyderabad after recent rains. He criticised poor coordination between civic and police departments, warning of strict action against lapses and directing a data-driven approach to tackle rain-related disruptions.

Hyderabad: Facing criticism over severe waterlogging and massive traffic snarls caused by recent rains in the city, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Sunday admitted that officials had failed to implement precautionary measures despite advance warnings and had not discharged their duties adequately.

“I conducted a review meeting on June 1 and issued advance advisories regarding the rains. Yet, on June 9, officials did not perform their duties adequately,” the Chief Minister said during a review meeting with officials from the police, traffic and civic departments.

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He observed that there was a lack of coordination between municipal and police officials in areas affected by heavy rains. Strict action be taken against officials who failed to remain in the field during the crisis, he said.

The Chief Minister instructed officials to adopt a data-driven approach to address waterlogging points, accident-prone locations and traffic congestion hotspots. He also directed the electricity department to remain fully prepared to respond swiftly to rain-related disruptions.

“During rains, all traffic personnel, including senior officers, must be present on the roads. If necessary, I will also come out onto the roads,” Revanth Reddy said.

Warning officials against complacency, he said strict action would be initiated if traffic gridlocks occurred due to administrative lapses.

“I will not tolerate problems caused by human error,” the Chief Minister asserted, while directing officials to immediately fill vacancies in the traffic department.