Central team begins Telangana visit to assess flood damage

A Central team began a three-day visit to Telangana on Wednesday to assess the damage caused in several parts of the state due to the recent heavy rains and floods. The six-member team headed by Col K P Singh held discussions with state Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari, who briefed them on the damage.

The Chief Secretary informed the team that even though the weather alert was received at a very short notice, the administration was on the alert and swift action was taken which resulted in less loss of human life, an official release said.

She said Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy reviewed the situation regularly and that Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka along with two other ministers reached Khammam, one of the worst-hit areas, to monitor the relief and rescue operations. The state government immediately released funds to the district administration to take up relief measures.

The Chief Secretary appealed to the Central team to relax the guidelines to enable the state government to extend relief extensively, it said. She also informed that the Chief Minister has ordered formation of specialised teams along Central guidelines.