The Telangana government has announced the extension of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Disaster Response Teams (DRF) services up to the Hyderabad Outer Ring Road (ORR). This decision was articulated by Telangana Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari, emphasising the need to effectively address the challenges posed by heavy rains and other calamities, thereby safeguarding citizens from potential inconveniences.
This initiative aligns with the recent directive from Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who has underscored the importance of establishing a robust system to mitigate the impact of sudden rains and floods within the extended city limits, including the ORR. Following this directive, a high-level meeting was convened on Tuesday at the Secretariat, where the Chief Secretary detailed plans to fortify the GHMC’s Disaster Response Department.
Currently, GHMC operates 30 Disaster Response Teams within its jurisdiction. To bolster these efforts, 15 additional teams will be deployed, extending their operational reach to the ORR. Given Hyderabad’s status as a hub for numerous pharmaceutical companies, the Chief Secretary also proposed the formation of specialised teams with advanced training in chemical fire prevention.
Coordination across various departments is a pivotal aspect of this strategy. The Chief Secretary urged GHMC officials to work closely with municipal, police, electricity, and water board departments to ensure a seamless and effective disaster response, minimising hardship for residents.
Expanding beyond Hyderabad, the Chief Secretary advocated for the establishment and reinforcement of DRF teams in other key cities such as Warangal, Karimnagar, and Khammam. She stressed the importance of collaboration with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) during emergencies, ensuring a cohesive and comprehensive disaster management approach.
Additionally, she recommended conducting a study on the disaster response frameworks of major metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, and Bangalore to glean insights and best practices that could be adapted to enhance the performance of Telangana’s disaster response teams.
The meeting was attended by prominent officials, including Municipal Department Principal Secretary Danakishore, GHMC In-charge Commissioner Amrapali, and GHMC EVDM Director Prakash Reddy, among others. Their collective focus remains on reinforcing the state’s disaster management infrastructure to effectively tackle the increasing frequency and intensity of natural calamities.
The Telangana government’s proactive measures to strengthen and expand the GHMC’s Disaster Response Teams highlight a critical commitment to public safety and resilience. By ensuring well-coordinated and adequately equipped response teams, the state aims to mitigate the adverse impacts of disasters and protect its citizens from potential hazards.
