Heavy rains lash several places in Telangana

Hyderabad: Heavy rains lashed many parts of Telangana on Thursday as the low-pressure area passing through Chhattisgarh state headed towards Telangana, in line with the Indian Meteorological Department’s red alert on heavy to extremely heavy rainfall.

With heavy downpours in the districts, there was flooding in the Godavari and Krishna rivers and the water levels also increased in various reservoirs. Hopes of agriculture picking up in several villages also rose because of the torrential downpours. Very heavy rainfall occurred at many places over Komaram Bheem Asifabad, at a few places over Mancherial, Jayashankar Bhupalpally and at isolated places over Adilabad, Jagtial, Mulugu and Peddapalli districts of Telangana.

Heavy rainfall occurred at many places over Jagtial, Mulugu, Mancherial and at a few places across Karimnagar, Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Peddapalli and at isolated places in Adilabad, Jayashankar Bhupalpally and Warangal districts of Telangana. The weather officials said that the Southwest Monsoon has been vigorous over Telangana.

The IMD had earlier issued a red alert (indicates extremely heavy rainfall with over 200 mm rainfall) for the districts of Adilabad, Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Nirmal, Jagtial; orange alert with heavy to very heavy rainfall in Nizamabad, Rajanna Sircilla, Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mulugu and Kamareddy districts; yellow alert for heavy rainfall very likely to occur at isolated places in Medak, Sangareddy, Jangaon, Hanumakonda, Mahabubabad, Warangal, Vikarabad, Rangareddy, Hyderabad, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Siddipet and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts of Telangana. Strong surface winds up to (30-40 kmph) are very likely to prevail at isolated pockets in remaining districts of Telangana.

The IMD has also issued forecast for heavy rainfall or thunderstorms at isolated places in various parts of the state till August 3.

Meanwhile, continuous rainfall over the past 48 hours has caused streams and rivulets to overflow, leading to the submergence of low-lying areas. Normal life has come to a complete standstill as several villages have been cut off from the outside world. The Jampanna Vagu at Medaram in Mulugu District surged dangerously. A devotee from Ghatkesar, who had stepped into the water for a holy dip, was swept away by the strong current and has gone missing. Upon receiving the information, rescue teams launched a search operation. Officials have advised people living near river basins and streams to remain alert.

Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy directed the officials concerned to work in coordination with officials of the Municipal, Panchayat Raj, Irrigation, Energy departments.

The Minister directed the officials to monitor the situation and if needed shift the people from the low-lying areas to safe areas.

Rainfall deficit down

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) officials said that the rainfall, which was 34 per cent deficit during the month of June, has decreased to 10 per cent now after heavy rainfall in the state. However, still 13 districts, mostly in the southern part of the state, have received less than 20 per cent rainfall so far. The Yadadri Bhongir district registered 65 per cent deficit rainfall during this monsoon.

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The Hans India