Heavy rains disrupt Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, severely impact rail and road traffic

Following a day of severe rainfall that devastated Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted additional precipitation for the region on Sep 2.

The heavy rainfall has led to significant disruptions, including the closure of educational institutions in affected districts such as Hyderabad and Vijayawada. The extensive waterlogging has severely impacted rail and road traffic.

On Sep 1, nine people lost their lives due to rain in Telangana.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed to carry out search and rescue operations across the two states.

The IMD has predicted that coastal Andhra Pradesh will experience very heavy rainfall from Sep 2 to 5, with heavy rain continuing in Telangana on Sep 1.

This adverse weather has been attributed to a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, which has been unleashing persistent rainfall since Aug 31 night.

The heavy rains caused significant disruptions to the railway network in Telangana. Affected by waterlogging on tracks between Kesamudram and Mahabubabad, the South Central Railway (SCR) announced the cancellation of 21 trains and the diversion of 10 others on Sep 2.

Key train routes, including those from Chennai Central to Chhapra, Chhapra to Chennai Central, and New Delhi to Chennai, have been halted.

Additionally, trains such as 12763 Tirupati-Secunderabad, 22352 SMVT Bengaluru-Patliputra, 22674 Mannargudi-Bhagat Ki Kothi, and 20805 Visakhapatnam-New Delhi, along with six other services, have been redirected.

To assist stranded passengers, two'scratch rakes'—emergency trains assembled from spare coaches—were deployed at Kazipet Junction.

Trains from Rayanapadu in Andhra Pradesh, including SMVB Bengaluru-Danapur and Danapur-SMVB Bengaluru, were also diverted.

Previously, the SCR had canceled over 20 trains and diverted more than 30 due to the severe weather conditions.

In response to the ongoing crisis, four helpline numbers have been established for public assistance: Hyderabad-27781500, Warangal-2782751, Kazipet-27782660, and Khamman-2782885.

The NDRF has mobilized 26 teams to manage flood relief and rescue efforts in the affected regions of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

While 12 teams are already active, an additional 14 teams are being sent to the area, with personnel being airlifted from various locations across India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached out to both Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to discuss the flood situation and has assured them of the government’s support.

This includes the provision of helicopters for emergency services amid the severe weather conditions.

In Telangana, Transport and Backward Classes Welfare Minister Poonam Prabhakar, along with several MLAs, visited Kazipet Junction to address the needs of stranded passengers and oversee the restoration of the railway track.

Meanwhile, Telangana’s Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka conducted an on-site assessment of flood-affected areas in Errupalem Mandal, located in the Madhira Constituency of Khammam district, to evaluate the extent of the damage.