Hans News Service Amalapuram

Konaseemadistrict collector R Mahesh Kumar has directed officials to prepare mandal-wise contingency plans to prevent loss of life and property during the ensuing monsoon season if the Godavari River experiences floods. Reviewing flood preparedness, heavy rainfall response and the progress of the Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls, along with a district-level Peace Committee meeting at the Collectorate on Friday, the collector said all departments should remain on high alert from July to October, the period when cyclones and floods are likely to occur. He instructed officials to conduct Peace Committee meetings at the mandal and divisional levels to ensure the smooth conduct of festivals and prevent disputes over idol installations and burial grounds. Mahesh Kumar asked departments to identify vulnerable stretches of irrigation canals, drainage channels, tanks and streams that are prone to breaches during floods and strengthen them in advance. Villages likely to be inundated under the first, second and third flood warning levels of the Godavari, along with roads that may get cut off, should be identified and evacuation plans kept ready, he said. The collector directed officials to stock three months’ supply of rice and essential commodities in flood-prone villages. He said one National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team and one State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team would be deployed in the district for emergency rescue operations. Boats and trained swimmers should also be kept ready. He asked officials to continuously monitor the five-day weather forecast through the AWARE portal and take timely precautionary measures. The Electricity Department was instructed to ensure an uninterrupted power supply during the monsoon. District Superintendent of Police Rahul Meena said the police department would remain fully prepared to support flood rescue and relief operations.