Hyderabad Heavy Rains:CM KCR announces Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia to flood victims
Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Thursday announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of persons who died in rain-related incidents. He also instructed officials to provide relief to people affected by rains and floods on a war-footing, and asked them to distribute rice, pulses and other essential items besides three blankets to every household on behalf of the State government.
He assured the people that new houses will be given to those whose houses had collapsed during the deluge and the government will undertake repairs to partially damaged houses free of cost. He made it clear that the new houses in alternative sites will be built for those whose houses are built on drains (nalas) in the city. He directed the officers to pump out water from low-lying areas and cellars of apartment complexes and cautioned them not to restore power till the last drop of water was drained out as restoration of power supply in such areas could cause death.
He opined that building cellars that can withstand floods at the time of construction should be an option to ensure that such incidents do not recur. He suggested that the civic authorities henceforth must impose a condition on builders that parking or cellar areas of buildings have to be flood-proof. He wanted the GHMC authorities to use the services of Metro Water Works and Fire department to pump out flood water. He also advised the electricity department to prepare an action plan to remove all the High Tension power lines passing over residential areas.