Schools, colleges closed, train services disrupted as incessant rains batter Telangana, Andhra Pradesh

In response to the severe weather conditions, the Telangana government has ordered the closure of all schools and colleges statewide tomorrow, reported Indian Express.

Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari has instructed district Collectors to implement precautionary measures to prevent loss of life and property, following warnings from the Meteorological Department of ongoing heavy rains for the next two days.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has directed all government officials to stay alert to prevent any potential incidents caused by the severe weather. He also asked the authorities to relocate residents from low-lying areas to relief camps for their safety, the report said.

Due to incessant heavy rainfall, a railway track between Kesamudram and Mahabubabad has been submerged, leading to the suspension of trains traveling from Vijayawada to Warangal, Warangal to Vijayawada, and Delhi to Vijayawada, according to the report.

The Chief Secretary has instructed the preparation of an advance plan for evacuating people from flood-affected areas and establishing relief camps. Measures should be taken to prevent tank contamination, including chlorination, to avoid the spread of diseases.

The Met Centre in Hyderabad has issued a red warning, forecasting very heavy to extremely heavy rain in isolated areas of districts such as Adilabad, Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Mahabubnagar, Narayanpet, and others on Sunday, according to the report.

The Met Centre also predicted heavy to very heavy rain in several locations on Sunday, including Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Jagital, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam, Warangal, and other districts.

In Andhra Pradesh, heavy rains on Saturday resulted in the deaths of eight individuals, with five fatalities in Vijayawada due to landslides.

The Municipal Commissioner reported that landslides occurred in Mogalrajapuram, where large boulders fell on two houses as a result of the heavy rainfall.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the landslide victims.

Vijayawada and other areas in Andhra Pradesh have been experiencing continuous rainfall.

Over the 24 hours leading up to 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Vijayawada recorded 18 cm of rain, with additional rainfall throughout the day.

Other regions also reported significant rainfall: Machilipatnam received 18 cm, Gudivada 17 cm, Kaikaluru 15 cm, Narasapuram 14 cm, Amaravati 13 cm, and Mangalagiri 11 cm. Nandigama and Bhimavaram both recorded 11 cm of rainfall.

Several other locations across the state recorded rainfall ranging from 1 cm to 9 cm, according to the Meteorological Department.