Telangana is reeling from torrential rains that have unleashed widespread flood chaos, forcing an immediate closure of schools across multiple districts. Relentless downpours have turned many roads into rivers, leaving communities stranded and disrupting daily life for millions across the state. As water levels rapidly rise, authorities issue urgent warnings and begin rescue efforts, with the weather department forecasting continued heavy rain in the coming hours, raising fears of further widespread disruption.
Schools Shut Down Due to Heavy Rains
Telangana is facing intense rainfall, leading to widespread disruption and forcing authorities to take urgent measures to ensure public safety. A major step has been the closure of schools across several districts, impacting thousands of students. The state’s education department has declared full holidays for all government and private schools in districts such as Warangal, Jangaon, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Hanumakonda. Mahabubabad.
For schools located within the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits, a half-day schedule has been announced. These school closures, which began around August 13th and extended for several days in some areas, were a direct response to forecasts of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The decision was made to protect students from the dangers of flooded roads and potential rain-related incidents.
Beyond schools, the torrential downpour has also affected the working lives of many. details Technology (IT) and IT-enabled services (ITES) companies in Hyderabad and surrounding areas have been advised by the state government to allow their employees to work from home. This measure aims to reduce traffic congestion on waterlogged roads and ensure the safety of people commuting.
Roads and Public Transport Affected
The heavy and continuous rainfall has caused widespread waterlogging and severe problems for daily movement across Telangana. Many low-lying areas in various districts have been submerged, with rivulets, lakes. ponds overflowing their banks. In Hyderabad, persistent heavy rains have led to high alerts, with rainwater entering homes and educational buildings in some colonies.
Road transport has been badly hit. Major highways and smaller roads have become impassable due to floodwaters. For instance, parts of the Hyderabad-Bangalore national highway have been inundated, bringing traffic to a standstill. Similarly, roads connecting areas like Kosgi and Daultabad. the Nekkonda-Chandrugonda culvert, have been closed because water is flowing over them.
The railway network has also faced significant challenges. In Mahabubabad, Khammam. Warangal, the gravel supporting railway tracks has been washed away by floodwaters, causing the cancellation or halting of several train services. Water levels at some railway bridges have reached dangerous levels, forcing trains to slow down. This widespread disruption highlights the immediate and serious impact of the heavy rains on the daily lives of people and the state’s transport system.
Government Actions to Help People
In response to the severe weather, the Telangana government has put all its departments on high alert. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has held meetings with ministers and officials, directing them to be ready for the situation for the next few days. As part of this preparedness, the leaves of all government officials and staff, especially those in irrigation and revenue departments, have been cancelled. those on leave have been called back to duty.
To support relief operations, the state government has released an initial fund of one crore rupees to each district affected by the rains. Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy confirmed that more funds would be provided if needed. Senior officials have been assigned to specific districts to closely watch and manage the relief efforts.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been sent to various parts of Telangana, including Khammam, Nirmal, Mulugu, Hyderabad, Mahabubabad. Bhadradri Kothagudem. Each NDRF team consists of about 50 skilled personnel, including engineers, technicians. medical staff, ready for rescue and relief work. Control rooms have been set up by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) to handle emergency calls and coordinate help. These teams are on standby to clear drainage systems, manage waterlogging. help people in need.
Damage to Key Public Systems
The continuous heavy rainfall has caused significant damage to Telangana’s public infrastructure. Initial reports show that roads and buildings have suffered major losses, with early estimates suggesting damage worth around 2,362 crore rupees. The energy department has also been affected, with damage to electrical installations costing about 175 crore rupees. Power poles and substations have been severely impacted in many areas, leading to power outages.
The state’s irrigation system has also taken a heavy hit. Initial assessments indicate that repairs to minor tanks alone could cost between 629 to 850 crore rupees. More than 200 tanks have developed breaches due to the floods, requiring immediate attention and substantial funds for repair. Pump houses for irrigation projects have been submerged. floodwaters have entered facilities, causing extensive damage to pumping units. Officials are carefully watching water levels in major projects like the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, where 26 crest gates were lifted to release excess water. the Singur and Narinja projects, where gates have also been opened. These damages highlight the huge task ahead for the state to restore essential services and infrastructure.
Safety Warnings for Everyone
With the ongoing severe weather, authorities have issued crucial safety warnings to the public. Residents are strongly advised to avoid going out unless it is absolutely necessary. They are urged not to travel through waterlogged roads or attempt to cross flooded paths and underpasses, as these areas can be extremely dangerous.
People living in low-lying areas or close to overflowing rivers and streams have been asked to move to safer locations as a safety measure. It is also critical to avoid touching electric poles or wires during the rains to prevent electric shocks. For emergencies, people are encouraged to dial emergency assistance numbers, with specific toll-free numbers made available for reporting rain-related incidents.
The public should only rely on data from official sources like the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA). local authorities for weather updates and safety advisories. These warnings are in place to help people stay safe and minimize risks during this period of heavy rainfall and flooding.
Weather Forecast and Future Watch
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the entire state of Telangana, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall, with some areas expecting extremely heavy downpours. This weather pattern is mainly due to a low-pressure system that formed over the Bay of Bengal, which is now moving towards the state.
Specific districts like Sangareddy, Vikarabad, Medak, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Khammam, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Bhupalpally. Mulugu are under a red alert, indicating the highest level of caution. Other districts, including Hyderabad, are under an orange alert, meaning heavy to very heavy rain is still expected. Weather forecasts suggest that this heavy rainfall is likely to continue for several more days, with strong surface winds also expected.
Officials are maintaining a round-the-clock watch on the situation, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas. Measures are being taken to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases and to ensure that power and drinking water supplies remain uninterrupted. The state government is actively monitoring the situation and preparing for any further impact from the continuing rains.
