Mulugu district collector T.S. Divakara in a meeting with NDRF officials at the district headquarters on Wednesday (July 23, 2025)
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
As heavy rainfall continues to lash several parts of Telangana, Venkatapuram mandal in Mulugu district has emerged as one of the most affected regions. In a span of approximately 28 hours from Tuesday (July 22, 2025) morning , the mandal recorded a staggering 46 cm of rainfall, according to data from the Telangana Development Planning Society (TGDPS). With more rain expected, the district administration has activated emergency protocols to prevent casualties and damage.
Mandal teams on night duty
Speaking to The Hindu, the district Collector T.S. Divakara said that disaster preparedness measures had been in place for weeks and were immediately scaled up as the rainfall intensified. “We have been very active and alert. All our mandal teams were on night duty yesterday, and the situation is being monitored round the clock. We have identified and mapped all vulnerable locations, low-lying causeways, bridges, tanks, and sandbags have been deployed in advance. Thankfully, our [irrigation] tanks are still below 50% capacity, and the Godavari river has not swelled yet,” he said.
Assuring that there is no cause for panic, he said, “We are 100% prepared. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State National Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been stationed across the district. The control room is functioning 24×7, and we have ordered Mandal Education Officers (MEOs) to declare holidays for schools if road access becomes an issue. Pregnant women and vulnerable individuals are being closely monitored, and medical teams are on standby. The district has 13 ambulances that have been strategically placed.”
To support Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and rehabilitation efforts, the Collector said that financial advances had been sanctioned, ₹1 lakh to each PHC and ₹1.5 lakh to MPDOs. “Our PHCs are fully equipped with medicines and essentials,” he said.
Mulugu Additional Collector (Revenue), Ch. Mahenderji, said that the district had been on high alert since the beginning of the monsoon. “Special officers have been assigned to each mandal. MPDOs, tahsildars, and panchayat secretaries are coordinating as core teams to manage the ground situation,” he said.
Waterlogged zones cordoned off
The administration has mapped all critical zones, low-lying areas, internal roads, streams, and culverts, and deployed teams in shifts to these locations. “Waterlogged zones are immediately cordoned off to prevent accidents. Essential supplies including food grains have been pre-positioned at all mandal-level ration shops. We planned this well ahead for the peak monsoon months: June, July, and August,” he added. To maintain effective coordination, dedicated WhatsApp groups have also been created for real-time updates between field officers and the control room.
The district administration has also issued a public advisory urging residents to remain cautious, especially in low-lying and remote areas. “If the sky is overcast with thunder and flashes of lightning, assume lightning activity is underway and act accordingly,” as per the advisory.
Toll-free number
People have been advised to contact the district toll-free number 18004257109 for emergency support, suggestions, or clarifications.
Published – July 23, 2025 01:35 pm IST
