People’s Action for Rural Awakening (PARA), in collaboration with Bosco Seva Kendra, Hyderabad, has been successfully organizing disaster preparedness programs in the flood-affected regions of Alamuru and Kothapeta blocks for the past seven months. Under the leadership of Mr. Andrew, the program Coordinator, and with the dedicated support of volunteers, awareness initiatives were conducted in four villages. These sessions targeted elders, youth, and local officials, educating them on critical safety measures to be followed during floods.
As the project reached its conclusion, a final program was organized on March 24, 2025, at Ekalavya Training Centre, bringing together villagers and youth from four flood-prone Lanka villages. The event was graced by Sri Bandaru Satyananda Rao, MLA of Kothapeta Constituency, as the chief guest, with Mr. Louis Manohar and Fr. Sarat as guests of honor.
Fr. Thomas Pallithanam highlighted the humanitarian services rendered by the Don Bosco Mission during the 1986 Godavari floods. Following this, Mr. Louis Manohar elaborated on the project’s vision, emphasizing the shift from providing temporary relief to fostering long-term preparedness. Rather than solely offering food and essential supplies during crises, this initiative focuses on equipping villagers with life-saving materials, enabling them to safeguard themselves during floods.
Addressing the gathering, Sri Satyananda Rao, MLA of Kothapeta, commended PARA’s initiative in raising awareness and providing essential emergency equipment. He emphasized the importance of preparedness and swift action during disasters. On this occasion, he also distributed vital flood-response materials, including:
- First Aid Boxes
- Life Jackets and Life Buoys
- PP Ropes
- Dragon Lights
- Chain Saws for tree cutting
- Stretchers
- Hand-Operated Sirens
- Walkie-Talkies
- Megaphones
This initiative marks a significant step toward ensuring the safety and resilience of communities in flood-prone regions, reinforcing the need for proactive disaster preparedness rather than reactive relief efforts.
