Telangana: Over 150 villages to be affected by rain in Asifabad

Collector says alternative arrangements such as provision of rehabilitation, live jackets, boats in place; essential commodities required for three months shifted to problematic villages

Kumram Bheem Asifabad/Adilabad: Officials identified over 150 villages to be affected by rain in Kumram Bheem Asifabad district this monsoon.

Rains bring cheer to farmers, but throw lives of rural folks out of gear. It is a common scene that villagers are stranded with streams flooding in the monsoon. Temporary bridges would be washed away isolating villages. Affected people cross flooded streams using country boats for commodities and medical emergencies, risking their lives.

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Considering bitter experiences in the past, Collector Venkatesh Dothre said that 151 villages were identified to be hit by the rains.

He stated alternative arrangements such as provision of rehabilitation, live jackets, boats, etc. were made, He informed that essential commodities, required for three months, were already shifted to the problematic villages. Fair price shop dealers would keep the outlets open throughout the month.

According to the officials, medicines such as ORS sachets, antibiotics and other drugs were kept ready in primary health centres. Revenue, Police and Panchayat officials in the affected mandals were instructed to work in tandem to avoid inconvenience to the people in the rain-hit villages. People would be shifted to safer places if floods inundate the villages.

Agriculture officials were asked to alert farmers over heavy rains helping them from crops getting damaged by deluge. People would be advised to vacate dilapidated houses. Officials of the Irrigation department were already told to take precautionary steps about management of crest gates of irrigation projects such as Chelimelavagu, Kumram Bheem and Vattivagu.

Similarly, a watch was going to be kept on bridges and streams to prevent drowning of people. Fishermen would be urged not to take up fishing in streams. A 10-member rescue team formed by the Fisheries department was placed in every mandal of the villages. A special focus is being laid to ensure safety of the public residing in the villages, the officials narrated.

Meanwhile, Adilabad Collector Rajarshi Shah instructed the officials not to leave headquarters in monsoon. He asked them to take steps to prevent accidents caused by electric poles, lines and transformers. He advised the public to contact a toll-free number 1800 425 1939 created in the Collectorate in case of emergencies and help.