The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : City on alert, low lying areas being evacuated

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Sunday, Aug 10, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

City on alert, low lying areas being evacuated

Hussainsagar reaches its maximum level of 514.9 metres by Saturday night

Challenging task: GHMC workers trying to clear inundated roads in Punjagutta on Saturday.

HYDERABAD: With the city recording 30 per cent of its season’s rainfall in just 24 hours and the Hussainsagar lake filled to the brim, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has asked people in the low lying areas and those residing near the nalas to shift to relief camps immediately.

The GHMC Commissioner C.V.S.K. Sarma told reporters on Saturday that water in most of the tanks in the city has reached the Full Tank Level (FTL) and, with the threat of rain continuing for another 48 hours, there is a likelihood of breaches leading to inundation. Hussainsagar reached its maximum level of 514.9 metres by Saturday night.

Evacuation efforts

However, officials are fully geared up to meet the situation, evacuating people and opening relief centres.

He said a team has been constituted with Panduranga Rao, Engineer-in-Chief, to monitor the water flow in all the tanks and coordinate with revenue officials to evacuate people by Saturday night.

He said 10 deaths were reported in the corporation limits due to wall collapses and electrocution while six others were injured. Officials were making all efforts to reach the people in need. Additional Commissioners of MCH have been made in-charge of coordinating relief measures. Ramesh Babu will look after North Zone, Rajeshwar Rao (South Zone), Shiva Parvati (Kukatpally area), Rajesham Goud (East Zone) while Ram Mohan Rao will coordinate distribution of medicines and sanitation. The GHMC Commissioner, Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy district Collectors will also stay put in the office.

The Commissioner requested people not to venture out unless it was emergency and asked parents not to allow children to play outside.

Naveen Mittal, Hyderabad Collector said seven deaths were reported in the city including three of a family in Bahadurpura. He said Mir Hussain Ali Khan, (70), Samsunisa begum (65) and Mir Zaheer Khan (40) died when their house wall collapsed. Others who died included Mohd. Nazeer Ahmed (45), Nagamani (22), Sridevi (6) while a 26-year old was electrocuted in Khairatabad and his identity was being verified.

He said 13 relief camps were set up to take care of 1,500 families affected by rain. Requests for help have come from Nadeem Colony, BJR Nagar, Mahboob Mansion, Bathkamma Kunta, Arundati Nagar, Ratna Nagar, Jahangir Nagar and Nimra colony. “We will open more camps as per the need.” The Ranga Reddy Collector, Dana Kishore said three deaths were reported – two at Malaysian township and one at Hasmathpet.

He said district areas under GHMC received 134 mm of rain covering eight mandals. Seven tanks in Serilingampally mandal were filled and officials were evacuating people who might get affected. He said 12 officers were appointed to specifically monitor relief measures.

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