Telangana heavy rains trigger floods, red alert issued for northern districts
Hyderabad: Telangana heavy rains continued to batter the state for the third consecutive day, prompting the India Meteorological Department to issue a red alert for several northern districts. Authorities warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next two days as overflowing streams, rising reservoirs, and flooded roads disrupted normal life across multiple districts.
The Meteorological Department said heavy rainfall was likely in Adilabad, Kumram Bheem Asifabad, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Jagtial, Mancherial, Peddapalli, Kamareddy, Jayashankar Bhupalpally and Mulugu during the next 12 to 18 hours. As a precaution, Cyberabad Traffic Police advised IT companies to allow employees to work from home wherever possible or stagger office departures from 2 pm.
Meanwhile, Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy directed officials to remain on full alert and coordinate relief measures. Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju instructed Collectors and Superintendents of Police to prevent loss of life and property, while DGP C.V. Anand asked officials to ensure safety at vulnerable roads, streams and low-lying areas.
Heavy rainfall filled ponds and reservoirs across the state. Floodwater entered the Kadem, Gaddennavagu and Swarnavagu projects due to inflows from Maharashtra and upstream catchment areas. Officials opened all 16 gates of the Kadem Project on Thursday to release excess water.
Continuous rain also disrupted essential services in several districts. The main corridor of the government hospital in Mancherial was inundated, forcing patients, attendants and medical staff to wade through knee-deep water. Rainwater entered hospital buildings, creating hardship for those seeking treatment.
Telangana heavy rains disrupt transport and flood projects
In Adilabad district, MLA Anil Jadhav inspected damaged houses in Nerdigonda and assured assistance to affected families. Authorities also rescued fishermen after 25 boats were swept away in the Pranahita River near the Mancherial border.
Flooded streams and canals cut road connectivity to 121 villages in Kumram Bheem Asifabad district. Around 200 cattle were swept away in the Sanghi stream, although 150 were later recovered. The remaining animals were reported missing.
The downpour also affected the united Warangal region. Floodwater washed away the temporary diversion road at the Iskuvagu bridge on National Highway 163 in Mulugu district, disrupting traffic to 26 villages and parts of Chhattisgarh. In Peddapalli district, floodwater entered homes in Veerlapalli after the RFCL embankment breached, prompting relief operations.
Coal production at open-cast mines in the Ramagundam region stopped because of the rain. In Rajanna Sircilla district, a falling tree damaged a mini-van and injured one person. Authorities shifted 25 families from Budagajangala Colony in Vemulawada to a rehabilitation centre after floodwater entered their homes.
The Godavari River at Bhadrachalam rose to 29 feet by Thursday afternoon before gradually receding to 28.50 feet during the evening. Officials continued monitoring water levels as rainfall persisted in several districts.
The Meteorological Department reported that Bejjur in Kumram Bheem Asifabad district recorded the state’s highest rainfall at 18.35 cm during the previous 24 hours. Penchikalpet followed with 16.54 cm. Authorities urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and remain alert until weather conditions improve.