Telangana Conducts Large-Scale Disaster Response Drills to Test Preparedness

Hyderabad—Telangana carried out extensive disaster management exercises across the state on Monday, testing the government's capacity to respond to floods, forest fires, and industrial accidents.

Revenue, Housing and Information and Public Relations Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy underscored that safeguarding citizens and their possessions forms the cornerstone of governmental responsibility. He highlighted that swift emergency response systems, coordination between agencies, and advance planning form the backbone of effective disaster management.

At the HMDA Grounds along Necklace Road in Hyderabad, the minister observed a comprehensive flood response simulation, accompanied by senior officials representing multiple government departments.

During the exercise, Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy emphasized the significance of the initial sixty minutes following a calamity, terming it the "golden hour" for life-saving operations. He stressed that rescue personnel must promptly relocate affected individuals to secure areas and orchestrate emergency services efficiently when responding to inundations, conflagrations, and unforeseen crises.

Drawing parallels with historical events such as the 1908 Hyderabad floods and more recent inundations of the Godavari and Krishna rivers, the minister illustrated the catastrophic consequences that inadequate disaster preparedness can inflict. He advocated for maintaining well-trained personnel, state-of-the-art resources, and cutting-edge technological systems in constant readiness. The minister also flagged his apprehension regarding the mounting incidence of forest fires and urban fire-related incidents.

According to officials, Telangana is examining disaster response protocols implemented across various global regions. The state is working towards establishing a more robust disaster management framework, they noted.

During the drill, specialized units demonstrated the deployment of inflatable rescue vessels, techniques for retrieving stranded individuals, and coordinated evacuation procedures. The exercise also included synchronized rescue operations. Subsequently, the minister inspected the Necklace Road Boating Club and observed rescue activities firsthand.

Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy commended the extensive scope of the state's disaster management drills. He acknowledged the contributions of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the disaster management authority, and district-level administrators who participated.

The minister cautioned the public against alarm, characterizing the exercises as routine components of preventive planning. He called upon media organizations and digital platforms to disseminate only accurate and responsible information.

Attending the event were Disaster Management Secretary Dasari Harichandana, Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services Director General Vikram Singh Mann, HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath, and NDMA Lead Consultant Major General (Retd.) Sudhir Bell. Representatives from police, fire services, revenue administration, health and medical departments, municipal authorities, transportation, industrial regulation, animal husbandry, and other agencies participated in the exercise.