Telangana govt puts up flood loss at Rs.10,032 cr, appeals Centre to relax rules

As per the existing rules, even if the entire Telangana was inundated, the State Government would not be able to use even a single rupee from Rs.1, 350 crores available in the NDRF, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy told the Central team, which is currently assessing the flood damage.

Hyderabad: The State government has put up the estimated loss suffered so far due to heavy rains and floods at Rs.10,032 crore and appealed to the union government to relax the rules for utilization of available disaster funds.

As per the existing rules, even if the entire Telangana was inundated, the State Government would not be able to use even a single rupee from Rs.1, 350 crores available in the NDRF, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy told the Central team, which is currently assessing the flood damage.

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“As per the current rates fixed, if one kilometre road is damaged, only Rs. 1 lakh has to be spent. Even temporary repairs cannot be taken up,” he said to the team during a meeting at Secretariat here on Friday.

In addition to the flood damages details, SSR rates applicable here in the State would also be reported to the union government for examination to extend disaster relief accordingly, he said and urged the Centre to provide immediate financial assistance to Telangana.

According to the estimates submitted by different departments so far, the loss has been put at Rs.10,032 crore. Comprehensive details are yet to be submitted.

The Chief Minister said due to the Ministers and officials staying vigilant, the loss of life was reduced. Thousands of houses were damaged, crops in lakhs of acres were lost and farmers suffered irreparable losses, he said, adding that the flood loss had exceeded the initial estimates.

Further, the Chief Minister wanted the union government to focus more on preventive measures than extending assistance after floods and natural calamities. Emphasis should be on the arrangements for early warning of weather and disasters, including rains and heat wave, he suggested.

Regarding the uprooting of nearly 50,000 acres of trees in Medaram forest, the Chief Minister requested that a team of experts should be sent from the union government to conduct a scientific study, besides examining the precautions to be taken to prevent such incidents.