Heavy rains lash Telangana, disrupting daily life

Normal life was thrown into disarray across Telangana on 13 August, Wednesday, as incessant rains triggered waterlogging on arterial roads, overflowed rivulets and lakes, and disrupted connectivity between several villages.

According to the Telangana Development Planning Society, Mamillagudem in Suryapet district recorded the highest rainfall of 100.5 mm between 8:30 am and 8 pm, followed by 95 mm in Atmakur, also in Suryapet district. Within the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits, Rajendranagar registered 46.5 mm of rainfall.

In Hyderabad, the downpour led to severe inundation of roads. Personnel from the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) and other civic bodies were deployed to clear accumulated water. HYDRAA teams also rescued a man in Yakutpura, Old City, who had fallen into a stormwater drain while collecting leaves to feed his goats.

Air travel was significantly affected, with several flights to and from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport cancelled or diverted due to adverse weather. Airport officials confirmed that 11 flights were diverted, of which seven returned to land in Hyderabad by evening.

The heavy rains caused rivulets, lakes, and other water bodies to swell, severing road links between villages. In Siddipet district, electric lineman Haimuddin was lauded for braving floodwaters in Nagasamudrala lake to restore a snapped power line, with deputy chief minister and energy minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka praising his courage on social media.

The India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) Hyderabad centre had issued warnings of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in Bhadradri Kothagudem, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Medak and other districts until 8:30 a.m. on 14 August, Thursday, with similar conditions likely in Medak, Sangareddy and Vikarabad between Thursday morning and Friday morning. Light to moderate rain or thundershowers are expected across most parts of the state during this period.

Chief minister A. Revanth Reddy instructed officials to remain on high alert for the next 72 hours, prioritising the safety of people and livestock. He also ordered the cancellation of leave for all government officers and staff in view of the forecast.