The two Telugu States, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana witnessed incessant rains claiming nearly 35 lives.
In Hyderabad, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) officials asked the citizens to stay indoors for the next 72 hours.
More than 30 people died in rain related incidents in Telangana and nearly 8 people reportedly died in Andhra Pradesh. While 18 deaths are confirmed in Telangana, the remaining are yet to be confirmed.
According to AccuWeather, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are expected to have heavy rainfall for the next two days.
After the downpour till 2 A.M., on Wednesday, around 1,500 colonies witnessed rainwater till the waist level. In addition, Hussain Sagar also witnessed increased levels of water due to continuous rainfall.
On the 14th of October, Telangana received a maximum amount of rain, 324.5 mm. Yesterday was the rainiest day in 117 years of record keeping. In 1903 such rainfall took place in Telangana.
The IMD in charge Director Naga Ratna said, “Since the deep depression was centered over Hyderabad, it led to torrential rains. But it was unprecedented as our observatory has never witnessed such a high amount of rainfall in October.”
The State recorded one month’s rain in just one day, which is 324.5 mm.
In the wake of the ongoing situation due to the rain, the Telangana Government announced a two day public holiday, on the 14th and the 15th of October.
In addition, the State Government also issued helpline numbers for the public in any emergency.
The emergency numbers are: 040-211111111, GHMC disaster department – 9000113667, 9704601866, GHMC electricity department – 9440813750, National disaster response force – 833306853 and 040 2955 5500. For removal of tree branches and uprooted trees, people can dial 6309062583.
On the 14th of October, the President of India Ram Nath Kovid spoke with the Telangana Governor, Tamilisai Soundararajan and K. Chandrashekar Rao, the Chief Minister of Telangana, expressing concern over the loss of lives due to the heavy rain.
He took to Twitter and said, “Spoke with the Governor of Telangana, @DrTamilisaiGuv and CM Shri K. Chandrashekar Rao and expressed concern over loss of lives & destruction caused by incessant rain in Hyderabad & parts of Telangana. In this hour of crisis, the nation stands united with the people of Telangana.”
The State Government alerted administration and asked them to set up relief camps, boats were deployed for stranded people, rescue measures at low lying areas are continuing. Helicopters and National Disaster Rescue Force (NDRF) are also on alert for the rescue of people stranded in different parts of Telangana.
The rainfall since Saturday, the 10th of October till now left a massive impact in the State. Many cars washed away, buses washed away, walls collapsed, standing crops like paddy and cotton damaged, coal mining stopped and power supply was disturbed.
The electricity supply was disrupted across the State and power companies reported damages to over 200 transformers submerged in floodwaters including electric poles which were uprooted in several locations.
Meanwhile, the highest rainfall of 32 cm was recorded in the Singapore Township area of Medchal-Malkajgiri district while Hayatnagar witnessed 30 cm rainfall.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are likely to witness heavy rainfall for two more days, till the 16th of October.
Stay tuned for further updates.
