Hyderabad: Heavy rains have impacted Telangana, leading to significant disruptions across the state.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued various alerts, including Red, Orange, and Yellow warnings across the state, indicating the severity of the weather conditions expected over the coming days.
Current weather
As of Sunday, September 1, a depression in the Bay of Bengal has intensified, resulting in moderate to heavy rainfall across Telangana, particularly in Hyderabad and surrounding areas.
The IMD forecasts that this weather system will bring heavy rain, with some regions experiencing extremely heavy downpours.
Alerts have been issued for districts such as Adilabad, Nirmal, and Jogulamba Gadwal, where very heavy rainfall is expected.
Impact on daily life
The heavy rainfall has caused significant waterlogging, particularly in urban areas like Hyderabad, where streets have been submerged, leading to traffic congestion and disruptions in public transport.
Reports indicate that areas such as Tolichowki experienced knee-deep water, and several regions faced severe traffic jams during peak hours due to the downpour.
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Additionally, the rains have resulted in dangerous conditions, including the collapse of structures and incidents of flooding. Tragically, there have been fatalities linked to the adverse weather, including a wall collapse in Bachupally that resulted in the deaths of several workers.
Government response
In response to the ongoing situation, Telangana’s chief minister Revanth Reddy has instructed all government departments to remain on high alert.
He emphasized the need for safety measures and the establishment of relief camps for residents in low-lying areas. District collectors have been empowered to declare school holidays if necessary, reflecting the seriousness of the situation.
The chief secretary has also directed the formation of control rooms in each district to monitor the rainfall and coordinate relief efforts.
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Special officers are being appointed in flood-prone areas to oversee the management of overflowing streams and ensure the safety of residents.
Heavy rains in the next few days
The IMD anticipates that the heavy rainfall will continue into the next few days, with forecasts suggesting intermittent rain and thunderstorms.
Residents are advised to stay vigilant and prepared for potential flooding and other weather-related hazards as the monsoon season progresses.
Situation at Srisailam reservoir
The Srisailam reservoir, a major water storage facility shared by Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, is currently experiencing significant flooding as inflows into the project have surged dramatically.
As of September 1, 2024, the reservoir is reporting an inflow of 356,472 cusecs, while the outflow has reached 472,390 cusecs.
The reservoir’s full capacity is 885 feet, and it currently stands at 884.50 feet, indicating a critical situation as water levels approach their limits.
The total water storage capacity of the reservoir is 215.8070 TMCs, with the current storage level at 212.9198 TMCs.
