Telangana's Flood Recovery Stalled by Central Assessment Delays
Hyderabad remains at the center of a growing crisis as Telangana continues to wait for crucial central flood relief assistance months after devastating monsoon floods battered the state in 2025. The delay stems from the unfinished post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA) report that the Centre has yet to finalize, leaving the state counting heavy losses without adequate financial support.
Assessment Process and Timeline Delays
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) along with experts from various Government of India departments visited Telangana in the third week of January to complete their evaluation. A senior state government official revealed that "the assessment was done by a team of subject experts sent by NDMA and GoI. The report for 2025 is being prepared as the inter-ministerial central team (IMCT) visited Warangal and Hanumakonda on Jan 16."
According to official sources, the state had submitted damage estimates for both 2024 and 2025 flood events. The IMCT visited Telangana once in 2024 and twice in 2025 to assess the widespread damage. The official further explained that "the GoI had asked for a PDNA report, and the same was sent for 2024 for an amount of ₹3,011 crore recently."
Discrepancy in Damage Assessments
While the Telangana government initially estimated flood losses at ₹5,000 crore, their comprehensive assessment later revealed total damage to various departments and properties reaching a staggering ₹10,300 crore. This stands in stark contrast to the limited assistance received so far.
The Union home ministry initially released only ₹231 crore as additional assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). State government officials have consistently maintained that this assistance remains inadequate for the scale of destruction, particularly in hard-hit districts like Kamareddy and Hanumakonda.
Previous Assistance and Current Stalemate
In February last year, a high-level committee chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah approved ₹1,554 crore as additional central assistance to five states including Telangana that were affected by various natural disasters in 2024. However, the release of this assistance comes with significant conditions.
The Centre has stipulated that the assistance is subject to an adjustment of 50% of the opening balance available in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for the year. According to central government data, during the 2024-25 fiscal year:
- The Centre released ₹18,322 crore to 27 states under SDRF
- ₹4,808 crore from NDRF to 18 states
- ₹2,208 crore from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund to 14 states
- ₹719 crore from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund to eight states
Utilization Certificates and Funding Conditions
State government officials revealed that when Telangana sought financial assistance immediately after the heavy rains caused widespread damage, the Centre asked for details of SDRF utilization for funds released earlier. This requirement has created additional bureaucratic hurdles in the relief distribution process.
According to central government records, as of April 1, 2024, Telangana had ₹1,345 crore available in the SDRF for relief measures during natural calamities. The Centre has now clarified that the ₹231 crore released is subject to an adjustment of 50% of the SDRF balance available in 2025-26.
Immediate Relief Requests Denied
Compounding the situation, Telangana had also sought ₹5,400 crore as immediate relief following the devastating floods, a request that was not granted by the central government. This denial has left the state struggling to fund recovery and rehabilitation efforts while awaiting the finalization of the PDNA report.
The ongoing delay in finalizing the assessment report and releasing adequate funds continues to hamper recovery efforts across flood-affected regions of Telangana, leaving thousands of affected residents in limbo as they await proper assistance to rebuild their lives and communities.
