Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand recently issued comprehensive directives to District Collectors, emphasizing the urgent need for robust preventive measures against seasonal illnesses like diarrhea and gastroenteritis. He also called for heightened vigilance regarding potential floods in the Godavari and Krishna river basins, particularly as heavy rainfall is anticipated. During a crucial video conference held from the Secretariat, Mr. Vijayanand outlined a clear action plan: upon any report of diarrhea or gastroenteritis, affected localities must be swiftly contained, emergency medical camps must be established, and all local food vendors in those areas must cease operations immediately. He underscored the critical importance of promptly repairing any leaks in drinking water pipelines and regularly monitoring the quality of water from hand pumps and borewells. The Chief Secretary issued a stern warning, stating that any supervisory failures resulting in disease outbreaks would lead to strict disciplinary action against the responsible officials.
Drawing attention to recent diarrhea incidents in Vijayawada and Guntur, the Chief Secretary reiterated the necessity for quick and decisive interventions to safeguard public health and prevent widespread suffering. He specifically directed municipal and panchayat raj authorities to diligently inspect water pipelines situated close to drainage systems and to rigorously implement all prescribed preventative guidelines.
Shifting focus to the flood situation, Mr. Vijayanand highlighted the need for continuous vigilance due to the rising water levels in both the Godavari and Krishna rivers. This concern is amplified by weather forecasts predicting significant rainfall over the next three days. During the meeting, Prakhar Jain, MD of the Disaster Management Authority and CEO of RTGS, provided a detailed update on current reservoir inflows and the prevailing weather patterns, ensuring the Chief Secretary was fully informed.