Authorities in Bhadrachalam have moved to a flood-watch footing, with the sub-divisional administration reviewing preparedness for heavy rain and possible flooding as the weather system that crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast pushed rain into Telangana's Godavari belt.
Sub-Collector Mrinal Shreshtha held a coordination meeting with the Bhadrachalam DSP and National Disaster Response Force personnel to review precautionary measures, emergency response arrangements and coordination between departments. He directed NDRF teams and other departments to identify vulnerable areas and remain available round the clock to respond to any emergency.
The sub-collector, accompanied by the DSP, NDRF and District Disaster Response Force personnel and fire services officials, then inspected vulnerable locations in Bhadrachalam to assess the risk from heavy rain and flooding and to review the safety arrangements needed to prevent loss of life and damage to property.
Officials have been asked to carry out similar inspections across the sub-division, identify every location that could be affected by floods or other adverse weather, and put protective measures in place at each one.
Coordination between police, disaster response teams, revenue officials and other departments was stressed so that the response is immediate if an emergency develops. Police personnel, NDRF teams and revenue officials took part in the review.
Large parts of Telangana have recorded rain over the past 24 hours as the cyclone's remnants moved inland, and the Godavari catchment is being watched for a rise in inflows.
(With inputs from PTI and media reports)