Telangana Aims to Lead the Nation in Disaster Management: Minister Ponguleti

The Telangana government is taking robust measures to make its disaster management system a model for the country. In line with this vision, Revenue, Housing, and Information Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy on Wednesday chaired a special meeting at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar State Secretariat with officials from the Disaster Management Department, Fire Services, SDRF, HYDRA, and ICCC divisions . The discussions focused extensively on procuring advanced equipment necessary to effectively tackle disasters .

The minister emphasized that minimizing loss of life and property during natural disasters is the government’s primary objective . To achieve this, the state has decided to allocate ₹100 crore for the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment . These include precise information systems, real-time monitoring, early warning mechanisms, drones, satellite-based communication tools, and modern rescue apparatus to ensure immediate response during floods, fire incidents, and other emergencies .

The government also plans to set up a state-level Disaster Management Training Center to provide enhanced training for personnel involved in disaster response . Additionally, advanced meteorological centers will be established up to the mandal level . Officials were instructed to prepare an airlift mechanism for rescuing people trapped in streams, canals, and reservoirs during heavy rains and floods , and to procure drones capable of carrying 70–80 kg loads . The minister recalled the 2024 Paleru incident , where the absence of a proper airlift system hampered rescue operations .

Minister Srinivas Reddy further directed the expansion of SIM-based VHF radio systems from the Integrated Command Control Center in Hyderabad to ensure communication with remote areas across the state. To efficiently handle fire emergencies in high-rise buildings , necessary equipment and 77 high-speed boats are to be procured under HYDRA operations . Continuous training for the existing 12 SDRF teams was also mandated.

The meeting was attended by Special Chief Secretary of State Disaster Management Aravind Kumar, Director of Fire Services Vikraman Singh, HYDRA Commissioner Ranganath, ICCC Director Kamal Hasan Reddy, and other senior officials .