Hyderabad: Recent torrential rains have unleashed severe flooding across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, leaving a trail of destruction and prompting major relief efforts.
The downpours have claimed 33 livesā16 in Telangana and 17 in Andhra Pradeshāwhile causing extensive damage to infrastructure, crops, and homes. Both states are bracing for more rainfall, with forecasts predicting continued heavy showers on Wednesday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued yellow alerts for several districts in Telangana, including Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, and Jayashankar Bhupalapally. Residents in these areas are advised to prepare for thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds.
In Telangana, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives. The state government has also requested Rs 2,000 crore in immediate assistance from the central government, citing damages exceeding Rs 5,000 crore. Efforts are underway to track and manage floodwaters in affected regions, including Siddipet, Nirmal, and Nizamabad, where rainfall has ranged from 12.7 to 22.3 centimeters.
Meanwhile, in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is urging officials to expedite relief work. Vijayawada, one of the hardest-hit areas, remains submerged despite ongoing rescue operations. Floodwaters have inundated numerous colonies and breached the Budameru Rivulet, complicating the situation. The state has seen a total of 20 fatalities, with substantial impacts in NTR, Guntur, and Palnadu districts. Over 6.44 lakh people have been affected, with 42,000 individuals moved to 193 relief camps.
Rescue operations are being supported by 26 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, 22 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams, and two Navy teams. Helicopters from the Indian Air Force and Navy are dropping essential supplies and evacuating stranded residents. Boats and active swimmers are also deployed to assist in rescue efforts. As the Prakasam Barrageās water levels recede, flood warnings have been downgraded, but the situation remains critical.