High Alert: Officials urge residents to evacuate low-lying areas in Hyderabad

Hyderabad : In view of the heavy rains, Principal Secretary of the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department M. Dhan Kishore instructed all the officials from Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) and the Water Board to be on high alert. Further he instructed all the construction companies to ensure safety of workers.

Principal secretary Dana Kishore directed the officials to ensure there are no losses of life or property within the GHMC limits. “Identify and promptly relocate residents from low-lying areas and those living in dilapidated or hazardous buildings to safer locations” stressed Dana Kishore in the Teleconference.

Further, the Principal Secretary instructed them to maintain 24/7 monitoring of lakes and water resources within their jurisdiction. Monitor the water levels in Himayat Sagar, Gandipet, and Hussain Sagar, and alert residents in low-lying areas accordingly. Alerted residents in the Musi River catchment areas. Continuously monitor drains and take precautions to prevent accidents. Install warning boards for dangerous flood channels.

Instructions to Builders

In addition to that, the principal secretary advised the builders to move construction workers and laborers from ongoing construction sites to safer areas. “Take necessary precautions to avoid any undesirable incidents due to the rains. The Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India(CREDAI) and National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) organizations must ensure that builders provide safety measures for all construction laborers,” added the official.

Further it was also instructed to relocate residents from old, dilapidated buildings to safer locations by the GHMC. “Municipal officials should use loudspeakers to disseminate information in areas with drains and approach drains” advised Dana Kishore.

Meanwhile, the Hyderabad District collector announced a holiday for schools of all managements, especially for primary and secondary schools, for Monday, in view of the heavy rains. The heavy rains are expected to continue for the next 24 hours.