CM HAS TELECONFERENCE WITH COLLECTORS,

Hyderabad,(Deccan Samachar Service DSS)June,02: The Chief Minister Dr K.Rosaiah before leaving for New Delhi today morning had a teleconference, regarding the heavy rains, with all the District Collectors concerned and directed them to take all precautionary measures to prevent any loss of life and property. The Chief Minister also talked to the Commissioner, Disaster Management, T Radha and top officials of the Departments concerned to monitor the situation constantly and issue guidelines so that crop losses also could be avoided. The Chief Minister, in the meanwhile, expressed happiness over the good rains that the State is receiving. "We need the rains for our agricultural operations. A good monsoon is what we earnestly desire. That will be a boon for our farmers. We have already completed 12 major irrigation projects. If we have a good monsoon and get enough water, all our irrigation projects will provide water to lakhs of acres", Dr Rosiah hoped. The Chief Minister, however, cautioned the officials and District Collectors that we should take preventive measures with the onset of the monsoon season. "We should not allow any minor irrgation tanks to be breached during heavy rains. Water is very precious. We have to save every drop of the rain water. We need them for agriculture and generating hydel power. Let us not waste a single drop of water. Let not the water flow waste into the sea.", the Chief Minister said. Dr Rosaiah said that there should be optimum utilization of rain water and reminded that there was severe drought in the State last year. The Commissioner, Disaster Management informed the Chief Minister that excess rainfall had been reported from the districts of Nellore, Kadapa, West Godavari, Prakasam, Vizianagaram, East Godavari, Hyderabad, Krishna, Visakhapatnam, Chittoor, Kurnool, Rangareddy and Anantapur. These Districts were still receiving good rains and according to forecast there is a likelihood of heavy rains might be there in some areas of these districts. In this backdrop, the Chief Minister hence directed the District Collectors to keep track of all the low lying areas in these districts and whenever and wherever needed, people should be evacuated to safer places. He said if needed temporary shelters and camps should be opened. The Chief Minister also directed the District Collectors to alert the health officials against spread of epidemics in these areas since there is a possibility of epidemics spreading in the monsoon season. He wanted supply of pure and safe drinking water to all the areas affected or likely to be affected by heavy rains. Dr. Rosaiah asked the Health Department officials to keep medical teams ready in case of emergencies. He also asked the Municipal Administration and Pamchayatraj Department to direct the local bodies to clear the silt in all nallas and other streams. Dr Rosaiah asked the District Collectors to keep a close and constant vigil of the heavy rains, likely inundation and the situation in the low lying areas in their respective districts and initiate necessary preventive measures. The Chief Minister assured that necessary funds for all preventive and relief measures will be released as and when required. He also wanted the Collectors to see that not a single acre of crop is inundated. As per the IMD’s long range forecast for the year 2010 South-West monsoon (June to September) the rainfall for the country as a whole is likely to be Normal. Quantitatively, rainfall is likely to be 98% of the long period average. As per the IMD's latest forecast report, dated 25-6-2010, rainfall over the country as a whole for the 2010 southwest monsoon season is likely to be normal. Rainfall for the country as a whole is likely to be 102% of long period average (LPA). Rainfall (upto 30- 6- 2010): Rainfall recorded was 118.3 mm as against the normal rainfall of 112.1 mm in the State. While Coastal Andhra region recorded 142.2 mm as against the normal rainfall of 106.6 mm, Rayalaseema region recorded 99.8 mm as against the normal rainfall of 73.8 mm, Telangana region recorded 105.5 mm as against the normal rainfall of 132.4 mm. Excess rainfall was recorded in Nellore, Kadapa, West Godavari, Prakasam, Vizianagaram, East Godavari, Hyderabad, Krishna, Visakhapatnam, Chittoor, Kurnool, Rangareddy and Anantapur districts. Normal rainfall was recorded in the districts of Khammam, Guntur, Warangal and Srikakulam districts. Six districts namely Karimagar, Adilabad, Medak, Nizamabad and Mahaboobnagar have recorded ‘Deficit’ rainfall. Excess Rainfall recorded in 501 Mandals of the State while 289 Mandals recorded Normal rainfall and 248 Mandals deficit rainfall. The forecast said heavy rains may occur in the coastal districts in next few weeks. The Chief Minister once again cautioned the District Collectors that welfare and safety of the people were the Government's top priority and hence they should monitor the situation constantly and report to him on a day to day basis of the situation.

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