Special app to provide weather forecasts in Telangana

With the Indian Meteorological Department in Hyderabad forecasting 90 to 99 percent rainfall in Telangana, Chief Secretary SK Joshi on Thursday directed officials to be alert during the monsoon season.

In meeting held with the Municipal, Police, Military, Airforce, NDRF, Revenue, Irrigation, Panchayat Raj, Agriculture, Animal husbandry, Energy, Fire and Health Department officials, the Chief Secretary announced that the state would soon be launching a special app in association with NDRF to give weather forecasts on a real-time basis.

Stating that all the departments should share rain-related information and work together during any situation, Mr Joshi directed district officials to send rainfall details on a daily basis to the government and urged the Health Department to prevent the spread of seasonal diseases further ensuring the availability of vaccines at all Primary Health Centres.

With the help from the Meteorological Department, he said that the government is sending information related to hailstorm and lightning to areas likely to be affected 45 minutes in advance through various social media platforms such as WhatsApp and government website adding that the officials should utilise this information in preventing any loss.

Lauding the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) officials for their ward-wise services during rains, the Chief Secretary urged the GHMC, Indian Air Force and NDRF to make special arrangements to tackle flooding by constituting special teams.