With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting heavy rainfall across Telangana over the next two to three days, Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju on Tuesday directed District Collectors to take all precautionary measures to ensure public safety and minimise disruption.

Chairing a teleconference from the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Telangana Secretariat with District Collectors, Police Commissioners and Superintendents of Police, Mr. Jaju reviewed the prevailing weather situation, the Agriculture department’s contingency plan and the progress of the Vanamahotsavam programme.

The Chief Secretary said only five or six districts had received normal rainfall so far, while 26 districts continued to face a rainfall deficit. He said seed fairs were being organised across the State as part of the Agriculture department’s contingency plan and assured that the government machinery was prepared to extend all necessary support to farmers opting for alternative crops.

In view of the IMD’s latest forecast of widespread heavy rainfall over the next two days, Mr. Jaju instructed officials in all districts to remain on high alert and work in close coordination with all concerned departments to respond promptly to any emergency.

He said National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams had already been stationed in Bhadrachalam, Mulugu and Nirmal districts. Additional NDRF teams stationed in Hyderabad and other major centres would be deployed to affected areas, if required.

Principal Secretary Ahmed Nadeem and secretaries Dasari Harichandana and Surendra Mohan, among others, participated in the teleconference.