Hyderabad, India – Telangana is grappling with severe flooding and heavy rainfall that has led to multiple fatalities, widespread infrastructure damage, and the rescue of thousands of residents. Officials are calling the recent downpour the most intense in the region in five decades, prompting urgent response efforts from various government and military agencies.
As of Thursday evening, at least two people have lost their lives due to the flooding, with additional individuals reported missing. In separate incidents, two men were swept away in their vehicle in Domakonda, while another perished from a wall collapse in Kamareddy district. Rescue teams have retrieved one body, but search efforts continue for the missing individual.
In a dramatic rescue operation, five stranded residents were airlifted from an isolated area in Narmala village, thanks to the intervention of Army helicopters. Overall, state officials reported that 1,444 individuals have been rescued from hard-hit areas, with several people still unaccounted for, primarily in villages across Jagtial and Medak.
The rainfall has caused significant damage to critical infrastructure. Roads, bridges, and railway tracks have suffered extensive destruction, resulting in halted transportation services. In Kamareddy, large sections of farmland have been inundated, leading to a significant assessment of potential crop losses. Record rainfall was recorded in multiple locations, with the highest amount reaching over 171 mm in Ramareddy mandal.
Relief efforts are underway as teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed across affected districts. Approximately 100 army personnel from Hyderabad are also engaged in rescue operations. Despite these efforts, several colonies remain submerged, and food and essential supplies are being distributed to those impacted.
Traffic disruptions are significant, with major highways damaged in multiple locations. Heavy vehicles traveling from Hyderabad toward Adilabad have been diverted through alternative routes to ensure safety, while several roads remain blocked due to overflowing water.
Authorities have reported major infrastructural damage at over 85 sites, including roads and bridges, exacerbating the challenges of rescue and recovery. Communities near Nizamabad have experienced isolated flooding due to breaches in local reservoirs, resulting in the evacuation of 200 families with the assistance of the SDRF.
Weather forecasts indicate that the region may face more rainfall in the coming days, raising concerns about worsening conditions. Local government agencies are closely monitoring the situation, issuing alerts to residents in vulnerable areas as they prepare for ongoing emergency response efforts.