Telangana on High Alert as CM Directs Coordinated Monsoon Response

Hyderabad, Telangana – With incessant rains lashing across Telangana, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has instructed all district collectors to remain on high alert, emphasizing proactive measures to safeguard lives and property.¹ On Thursday, July 24, 2025, from Delhi, the Chief Minister held discussions with officials from the Chief Minister’s Office, seeking immediate updates on the flood situation and precautions being taken in low-lying areas.²

CM Revanth Reddy’s directives underscored the critical need for inter-departmental coordination to prevent inconvenience to residents in rain-affected zones and ensure swift relief operations. He ordered authorities to continuously monitor India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts and to alert residents living near brimming lakes and water bodies.³ Rescue operations in flood-hit areas, particularly within Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits, were also prioritized.

GHMC and HYDRAA Forge Stronger Monsoon Coordination

In Hyderabad, GHMC Commissioner RV Karnan has directed all officials to closely coordinate with the Hyderabad Disaster Response, Assets Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRAA) during monsoon emergencies. On Thursday evening, Commissioner Karnan and HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath held an emergency meeting at the GHMC headquarters to streamline efforts.

The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration between GHMC’s engineering department (including superintending engineers, deputy executive engineers, and assistant executive engineers), traffic, fire, and HYDRAA officials.⁴ This joint approach aims to effectively manage problems arising from the monsoon.

Commissioner Karnan emphasized that while HYDRAA holds primary responsibility for disaster management and response, GHMC’s engineering officials must provide full support, including technology, logistics, and resources, at all ward, circle, and zonal levels. GHMC will specifically be responsible for de-silting and maintaining open drains, as well as sharing critical lake water storage data with HYDRAA to facilitate timely alerts for vulnerable low-lying areas.

HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath outlined HYDRAA’s responsibilities, which include maintaining 11 city underpasses, cleaning rainwater channels to prevent stagnation on flyovers, de-silting catch pits, and conducting safety audits of drains.⁵ Ranganath also proposed GHMC’s cooperation in establishing ward-wise T-points to manage the soil generated during catch pit de-silting.

R&B Department on the Ground

Adding to the state’s comprehensive preparedness, Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy instructed all department officials to forgo leave unless absolutely necessary and to remain on the ground to respond to emergencies. He called for “real-time ground monitoring,” directing superintending engineers to be stationed at district headquarters and continuously supervise their field teams.

The Minister stressed the importance of hourly assessments of on-ground situations, with a particular focus on bridges, culverts, and roads under construction, especially in flood-prone areas. He highlighted the risk of overflowing rivulets and streams, mandating frequent inspections of bridges and causeways and immediate restoration of any damaged roads.

Inter-departmental coordination across electricity, irrigation, revenue, panchayat raj, and police departments was also emphasized to manage emergencies and prevent mishaps. “Loose electric poles, fallen high-tension wires, or washed-out roads can pose life-threatening risks,” the Minister warned, urging officials to anticipate and preempt such situations. He further instructed close monitoring of water flow near rivers, lakes, and tanks, and advanced warnings with signage in vulnerable stretches to ensure public safety.

The coordinated efforts from the Chief Minister’s office down to various departments reflect a robust strategy to mitigate the impact of the ongoing heavy rainfall across Telangana.