Heavy Rains Cause Major Disruptions in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
Heavy rains have wreaked havoc across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, leading to significant disruptions and safety concerns. Torrential downpours over the weekend caused rivers to overflow, submerging various areas and forcing authorities to launch massive evacuation operations. The intense rainfall has claimed multiple lives and created severe difficulties for residents, particularly in low-lying regions.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings, indicating that more heavy rain is expected in several districts of both states. This has heightened fears of further flooding and damage in already affected areas.
In Telangana, the situation is dire, with nine people reportedly losing their lives in rain-related incidents. Districts such as Suryapet, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mahbubabad, and Khammam have been particularly hard hit. The local administration has been actively evacuating people from flood-hit villages, relocating thousands to safer locations.
Hyderabad, the state’s capital, has also seen significant impacts from the rains, leading to widespread waterlogging and other disruptions. As a precaution, all schools in the city have been closed on September 2. In some parts of the city, residents were stranded on rooftops, waiting for rescue teams to arrive. The state government has issued a red alert in multiple districts, warning of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall until at least the morning of September 2.
Andhra Pradesh has not been spared either, with several districts, including Srikakulam, Vijayanagaram, Parvatipuram Manyam, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Kakinada, and Nandyala, bracing for more rain. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed concern over the severity of the situation, noting that cities like Vijayawada and Guntur had been completely inundated. Key highways connecting Vijayawada to other major cities were submerged, cutting off vital transport links.
According to Naidu, the floodwaters meant to be diverted to Kolleru Lake are instead flowing towards Vijayawada, further complicating the situation. The state government is taking emergency measures to reinforce areas downstream of the Prakasam Barrage, using sandbags and other resources to prevent further flooding. In total, 17,000 people have been evacuated and relocated to 107 relief camps, while vast swathes of agricultural land, totaling over 1.1 lakh hectares, have been damaged.
Railway services in the region have also been severely affected. The South Central Railway (SCR) zone, which includes the Vijayawada Division, announced the cancellation of 140 trains and the diversion of 97 others on Sunday. The extensive damage to infrastructure has made it difficult for the authorities to maintain normal operations.
In response to the crisis, the central government has deployed 26 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams to assist in rescue and relief efforts across both states. Of these, 12 teams are already on the ground, with 14 more on their way to support ongoing operations. The central government’s intervention came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with the chief ministers of both states, offering assurances of all possible assistance.
The devastation caused by the rains has prompted widespread concern, with state governments and emergency services working round the clock to minimize the damage and ensure the safety of the affected populations. As the situation continues to evolve, authorities remain on high alert, with further updates expected as conditions develop.
The ongoing rains in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have disrupted life on multiple fronts, from transportation and agriculture to daily routines. With more rain predicted in the coming days, the full extent of the damage may not be clear for some time. However, the swift response from local and central authorities has helped mitigate the worst impacts, though challenges remain in providing relief and restoring normalcy to the flood-hit regions.