Hyderabad: Heavy rains, triggered by a depression in the South Bay of Bengal, have severely disrupted life across Telangana since early Saturday.
The state capital, Hyderabad, along with various towns and villages, has been inundated, leading to widespread flooding in low-lying areas. Roads, homes, and agricultural fields have been submerged, forcing residents to stay indoors.
In Suryapet district, the highest rainfall was recorded at 29.3 cm in Huzurnagar and 28.2 cm in Chilkur. The downpour has caused severe damage to infrastructure, halting traffic in many areas and leading to the collapse of old buildings. Coal production in Singareni has also been significantly impacted.
In rural regions, the heavy rainfall has waterlogged paddy, cotton, maize, and sorghum fields.
In Khammam district, the overflow of the Eru stream led to the rescue of three people stranded by floodwaters. Several other districts, including Vikarabad and Kamareddy, reported traffic disruptions and flood-related incidents.
The Hyderabad Meteorological Center has issued a red alert for Telangana, with heavy to very heavy rains expected in several districts, including Adilabad, Nizamabad, and Mahabubnagar, on Sunday and Monday.
An orange alert has been issued for other districts, and a yellow alert is in place until September 3.
In response, holidays have been declared for educational institutions in Hyderabad, with district authorities empowered to do the same based on local conditions.
Tourist spots like Bogatha and Laknavaram in Mulugu district have been closed for 48 hours as a precaution. Fishermen and devotees have been advised to postpone their activities until the weather improves.
