Is Telangana Requesting Rs 16,732 Crore from the Centre for Immediate Flood Relief?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Telangana is seeking Rs 16,732 crore for flood relief.
- A delegation met with Amit Shah to discuss urgent needs.
- Significant damage reported in multiple districts.
- Initial estimates show losses amounting to Rs 5,108 crore.
- Emergency repairs require Rs 1,500 crore.
Hyderabad, Sep 4 (NationPress) The government of Telangana has formally requested the Central Government to release an urgent fund of Rs 16,732 crore for flood relief efforts. A delegation led by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi to present their case for immediate financial aid.
The funds requested include Rs 11,713 crore for recovery efforts in districts impacted by last year’s floods, and an additional Rs 5,018 crore for areas recently affected by flooding.
The delegation also urged the government to classify the situation as a national calamity. They requested the dispatch of a Central team to evaluate the damage in Telangana.
According to an official statement, Amit Shah assured the delegation that a team of officials would visit Telangana to assess the flood damage.
The representatives informed the Home Minister that the state had previously requested Rs 11,713 crore for flood relief in Khammam and adjacent districts last year, but the funds were not provided.
They indicated that preliminary assessments show a loss of Rs 5,108 crore due to the recent floods.
Included in the delegation were Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, special representative in Delhi A.P. Jitender Reddy, and senior officials, who noted that this figure is an initial estimate, with final assessments pending as the floods recede.
The delegation detailed that heavy rains from August 25 to 28 caused significant damage in Kamareddy, Medak, Nirmal, and Nizamabad districts. The state has recorded a 25 percent excess in rainfall, with some districts experiencing up to 65-95 percent above normal levels.
Home Minister Amit Shah was informed that the state government has mobilized resources for relief, with seven NDRF teams, 15 SDRF teams, and approximately 100 Army personnel deployed for assistance.
The delegation reported extensive damage to infrastructure, including roads, railway tracks, culverts, electricity poles, and transformers, disrupting daily life.
Initial estimates indicate that the floods have claimed 22 lives. Assessments regarding livestock, property, and crop damages are currently ongoing.
The Municipal Administration department reportedly suffered losses of Rs 1,025 crore, while road damages are estimated at Rs 785 crore. The irrigation department's losses are pegged at Rs 655 crore, with crop losses amounting to Rs 236 crore. Additionally, Panchayat Raj and Rural Development incurred losses of Rs 377 crore.
Officials stressed the urgent need for Rs 1,500 crore for emergency repairs.