Khammam flood-affected victims obstruct Kishan Reddy, complain of no help from govt

Meanwhile, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, who was also present along with the Union Minister, convinced the people that the government would extend all possible support

Khammam: Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy and Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, who visited flood affected areas in Khammam city on Sunday morning, had a bitter experience as several women at Dhamsalapuram stopped them complaining about lack of support from the government.

Srinivas Reddy convinced them that the government would extend all possible support to the public. Later they distributed essential commodities to the flood affected families.

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Speaking to the media on the occasion Kishan Reddy noted that the Central teams would visit after the State government report was submitted and Central assistance would be released after receiving the reports on loss from Central teams. Until the Central funds were released the State government should utilise the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).

Rs 200 crore SDRF pending with the Centre due to non-submission to utilisation certificate (UC) in the past would be released after consulting union Home Minister Amit Shah if the UC was submitted. The Telangana government was asked to spend the funds at its disposal to carry out relief operations supporting the flood affected families. The Centre would extend all possible support to the State, Kishan Reddy said.

Meanwhile, the Khammam district administration was on alert in view of moderate to heavy rains in the past twenty four hours in the district.

District Collector Muzammil Khan informed that all arrangements for the residents of Danavaigudem, Ramanapet, Prakash Nagar, Moti Nagar and Venkateswar Nagar were made for their stay at relief centres. He asked the public to call toll free number 1077 for help in case of emergency

Relief centres were set up at Women’s Degree College, Swarna Bharathi Function Hall, Ramanapet School and Damsalapuram School. A large number of residents have been shifted to the relief centres. Deputy Chief Bhatti Vikramarka and Collector Muzammil Khan visited the relief centre as well as the flood prone area on Saturday night.

Munneru stream which received huge inflows on Saturday reached 15.50 feet at 5 am on Sunday however the water level receded later and it reached 13.10 feet at 6pm.

The Collector has declared a holiday on Monday for all private and government educational institutions under Khammam Municipal Corporation and Munneru catchment area. In Kothagudem district Collector Jitesh V Patil said Prajavani to be held on Monday was cancelled in view of the rain situation.