CM Writes Thanking Letters to Political Parties for their Cooperation

Compliments officials and NGOs for their commendable job

Hyderabad|India|October'2009: Despite the devastation caused by the biggest-ever floods to Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers in the last three days, there were no huge human casualties in Kurnool, thanks to timely evacuation of lakhs of people to safer areas, Chief Minister K Rosaiah said on Sunday.

“It is humanly impossible to hold the nature’s fury. All that we can do is to minimise the loss to human lives and destruction of properties. The officials at the state-level and district-level did a commendable job in the last three days in preventing huge loss to human lives so far and ensuring their safety,” he said.

The Chief Minister, while reviewing flood situation and rehabilitation and rescue works in a high level meeting, said he had not come across such a huge flood in his long political career. He pointed out that it was no mean task for the officials of the irrigation department to manage floods of this magnitude, which was unprecedented in the history of the state. The officials monitored the inflow and outflow of water in Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar reservoirs round the clock and ensured that the dam structures were safe. “At one stage, the inflow into Srisailam reservoir had touched 25 lakh cusecs, but the officials quickly responded by letting out the water by opening the emergency flood gate and brought the situation under control. At the same time, the administrative machinery took every care in evacuating the people of Kurnool to safer areas overnight,” he pointed out.

“The real challenge to our administration begins now. Our immediate concern is to rehabilitate the flood victims. We are chalking out a comprehensive action plan for helping the people in the flood-affected districts. We are not going to rest till the normalcy is restored and all the affected people are rehabilitated,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the government would now focus on reconstruction works, repairing of damaged roads and restoration of power and communication facilities in the flood-hit areas. “There was an extensive damage to electrical installations and equipment of APTransco and Discoms in Kurnool, Mahabubnagar and Krishna districts and all these have to be repaired and power restored in all areas,” he said.


The Chief Minister said the district administration should concentrate on prevention of epidemic outbreak once the flood water receded. “We have to remove carcasses and debris effectively. Sanitation has to be given prime importance. Every care should be taken to prevent spread of diseases like dengue, malaria, swine flu and viral fevers,” he said.

Mr Rosaiah thanked all the political parties for their invaluable suggestions to the government during the all-party meeting to carry out relief and rehabilitation operations. He said he was writing letters to the presidents of the political parties, thanking them individually for their timely cooperation. “I am extremely hopeful that they would continue to extend their whole-hearted cooperation to the government in the coming days in all its welfare and developmental programmes,” he said.

The Chief Minister also expressed his gratitude to UPA chairperson Smt Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Home Minister P.Chidambaram, Defence Minister A K Antony, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yedyurappa and other leaders whom he had contacted in the last few days for their positive response. The Union Government had provided timely help to the state government and also assured to provide whatever assistance the state required in the coming days, he said.

He also thanked all the individuals and voluntary organizations who had risen to the occasion and come forward to help the people’s cause.

While appreciating the district collectors of the affected districts and their administrative machinery for their dedication, devotion and discipline in taking up flood relief works, Mr Rosaiah said people’s safety, security and satisfaction should alone be their motto. “We must make them feel that the government is with them and will do everything for their welfare, safety and security,” he said.