The Army and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) swung in to action on Saturday to join the rescue and relief operations in the worst-affected areas ravaged by heavy rains in the greater Hyderabad region. The Army officials met senior GHMC officers in the early hours of Saturday and procured maps and information related to present ground situation in the city. They have also set up a control room in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) headquarters for better coordination. After a thorough reconnaissance of the low-lying areas, eight task force teams of the Army were deployed in Malkajgiri, Alwal, Hakeempet and Nizampet. Equipped with boats, medical aid and rescue materials, the army men were seen helping the residents of water-logged colonies.
Skies once again opened up in the early hours of Saturday as the city received moderate rains for short spell. The average rainfall recorded in the city was less than 1 cm which did not bring much respite to the residents of colonies in Malkajgiri, Alwal and Nizampet as some colonies were still inundated. According to the GHMC, there are 24 lakes in its limits which are overflowing. The water levels in Hussainsagar continued to be above the full tank level.
Despite orders from state administration, some schools and colleges functioned in twin cities. A school bus carrying students got stuck in water-logged streets in Allwyn Colony. Help continued to pour in for the residents affected and displaced by the rains.
Apart from voluntary organizations and individuals, members of movie artistes association were also seen distributing food packets to people in Nizampet. The GHMC held 29 medical camps in the affected areas and 3,900 people were treated for various medical conditions. The officials continued the demolition drive bringing down more dilapidated and weak structures. The Met department has warned that the city might receive heavy rains for the next few days.
Returns safe
A-65-year old woman who went missing after falling in to a nala in Alwal returned safely, much to the relief of her family members . Lakshmamma, a resident of Shiva Nagar in Alwal, slipped and fell in the flowing water on Friday night. According to the local revenue officials, Lakshmamma told them that she saved herself by holding on to a tree branch while getting washed away. She walked back to her place on Saturday morning.
