AMARAVATI, September 23, 2026 | Journalist File: The Andhra Pradesh Medical and Health Department has stepped up its preparedness as several districts face the prospect of heavy to very heavy rainfall. Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav has directed officials to take preventive measures against outbreaks of fever and diarrhoeal diseases and ensure that essential medical services continue without disruption in rain- and flood-affected areas.
Officials have been instructed to keep medical teams, essential medicines, diagnostic equipment and ambulances ready in vulnerable locations. Special preparedness measures have been ordered in Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Tirupati, Eluru, Parvathipuram Manyam, SPS Nellore, Markapuram, Kakinada and Srikakulam districts, besides the Polavaram region.
Medical officers, supervisory personnel and public-health staff are to be deployed in vulnerable areas according to local conditions. Adequate stocks of medicines, testing kits and other essential supplies should be maintained to meet any sudden increase in demand.
Drinking water and sanitation under watch
The minister directed officials to closely monitor drinking-water sources and prevent contamination caused by flooding. Chlorination of water sources and distribution of chlorine tablets should be undertaken wherever necessary. Authorities have also been asked to ensure the availability of safe drinking water, food and milk in affected areas.
Health officials should coordinate with municipal and panchayat authorities to identify and remove stagnant water. Special measures should be taken to prevent mosquito breeding in residential areas, schools, relief camps and other public places.
Hospitals told to keep backup power ready
Hospitals in areas vulnerable to power outages have been instructed to keep generators and alternative power arrangements ready. At least two ambulances should remain available in vulnerable areas so that emergency services can continue even if roads are damaged or disrupted.
The minister also directed officials to ensure immediate medical attention for people rescued from floods and other rain-related emergencies.
Special focus on pregnant women and children
Officials have been asked to identify pregnant women who are likely to deliver within a week and make arrangements for their timely access to healthcare. Children below five years of age and elderly people in affected areas should receive special attention.
The department has also been directed to ensure the safe storage of vaccines and intensify surveillance for mosquito-borne diseases after floodwaters recede. Malaria-prone areas, coastal and tribal regions and flood-affected villages are to receive particular attention.
Officials have been told to immediately report any unusual rise in disease cases, clustering of cases or shortages of medicines and medical personnel instead of waiting for routine reports.
Satyakumar Yadav said preventive measures should continue even after the rains and floodwaters subside, as health risks can persist in the aftermath of flooding. He called for coordinated action among departments to ensure timely medical assistance to the public.
Doctors' leave cancelled; control room activated
Health and Family Welfare Commissioner Chakradhar Babu informed the minister that leave for doctors and medical staff had been cancelled in view of the weather situation. Steps have been taken to ensure that medical personnel remain available in vulnerable and affected areas.
A command and control room has been established at the Medical and Health Department headquarters to continuously monitor the situation and coordinate the response, Chakradhar Babu said
