Telangana welcomes Southwest Monsoon, providing relief from scorching heat
Hyderabad: The long-awaited Southwest Monsoon finally arrived in Nizamabad, Telangana state, relieving the scorching heat on June 9 (Sunday). As the monsoon arrived, the weather dramatically cooled, with a noticeable decrease in the sun’s intensity. Recent days have been marked by exceptionally high temperatures, ranging between 46 and 50 degrees, causing significant hardships for the residents. In fact, the extreme heat made it nearly impossible for people to venture outdoors, and even travel plans had to be put on hold.
The monsoons arrived early
According to the Hyderabad Meteorological Weather Department, such unprecedented intensity of the sun has never been witnessed before.
Since the beginning of March, the scorching sunlight has been relentless, growing stronger as the days pass. Along with the intense heat, we have also been experiencing relentless hailstorms, which have caused significant distress among the populace. Even inside our homes, finding relief from the heat has been nearly impossible, leading to persistent exhaustion. The continuous use of air conditioners and fans has resulted in increasing electricity bills over the past two months. There is widespread concern about the prolonged heat wave with no relief in sight. It is widely believed that the region of Rohinikarte is particularly affected by the unforgiving intensity of the sun, leading to tragic fatalities due to sunstroke.
The weather has cooled down as the monsoons arrived early this year, bringing relief to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. However, doctors advise caution as rapid climate changes may lead to an increase in diseases. The Meteorological Department has issued a warning for heavy rains for the next two days, with a yellow alert issued for some districts.
Weather forecast from the Meteorological Department: Certain areas of Telangana state are expected to experience scattered instances of light to moderate rainfall over the next three days (June 9, 10, and 11).
Weather alert: Telangana state will experience 30-40 km/h winds with thunder and lightning, scattered light, and heavy rains with gusty winds on June 9, 10, and 11.
CM Revanth Reddy reorganizes disaster management for Greater Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has decided to assign critical responsibilities to the Disaster Management Department within Greater Hyderabad. He has directed officials to implement structural changes and redistribute responsibilities accordingly. In a review meeting at the Secretariat on Monday evening, the Chief Minister discussed the reorganization with officials from Municipal Administration, HMDA, and Musi Development.
Expansion of disaster management responsibilities
Recognizing the geographic expansion of Hyderabad, the Chief Minister ordered the Disaster Management Department to extend its jurisdiction to the Outer Ring Road. He suggested including GHMC, 27 surrounding municipalities and corporations, and 33 gram panchayats within its service area. The department will be renamed the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring Protection (HYDRA). The Chief Minister proposed appointing a DIG-level officer as the director and SP-level officers as additional directors. He also recommended special teams from GHMC, HMDA, the Water Board, city traffic, and other departments to join this new division.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for the Disaster Management Department to offer continuous services to city residents, not just during floods or emergencies. HYDRA should actively address all issues faced by Hyderabad’s citizens, including preserving the city’s tanks and ponds, protecting government properties from encroachments, and managing hoardings and flex banners. Additionally, HYDRA will oversee water pipelines, electricity supply lines, drainage, flood management, and traffic control.
Focus on heritage and infrastructure projects
Chief Minister Reddy directed the acceleration of the Musi River Development Project, aiming to elevate Hyderabad’s international reputation. He stressed the importance of working towards the government’s goal of transforming this project into a landmark. He also ordered officials to take necessary actions to restore historical buildings and structures within the city. The GHMC presented a PowerPoint on various heritage sites, such as the City Library, Charminar Ayurvedic Hospital, and Nizamia Observatory etc. The Chief Minister encouraged exploring ways to develop these sites for tourism and integrating feasible ones into the Musi River Development Project.
The Chief Minister instructed Chief Secretary Shantikumar to draft a comprehensive reorganization plan, including staffing, duties, and budget allocations for HYDRA. He also emphasized identifying key areas where the Disaster Management Department can enhance its operations.
The meeting included Chief Secretary Shantikumar, Principal Secretary of Municipal Administration and Urban Development Danakishore, GHMC Commissioner Amrapali, GHMC Vigilance Disaster Management Commissioner A.V. Ranganath, and Hyderabad Water Board MD Ashok Reddy.
