Over the past few days, unprecedented heavy rainfall has wreaked havoc across several parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, leading to catastrophic flooding and significant damage. The situation has prompted urgent responses from both state and federal authorities.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu described the recent floods as the “biggest disaster” he has witnessed in his political career. He declared that he would request the central government to declare the floods in the state as a national calamity. The floods have claimed the lives of at least 17 people, with heavy damage to property and infrastructure. Naidu highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that the current disaster surpasses previous events like the Hudhud hurricane and Titli cyclone in terms of human suffering and property loss.
Meanwhile, Telangana has also been severely impacted by the heavy rains, resulting in at least 16 deaths. The state government estimated the damage at ₹ 5,000 crore and requested immediate assistance of ₹ 2,000 crore from the Centre. Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹ five lakh each to the families of those who died in rain-related incidents and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the affected areas and declare the floods a national calamity.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) swiftly launched relief operations in flood-affected areas of Andhra Pradesh’s Vijayawada district. Two IL-76 aircraft airlifted 242 NDRF personnel and 30 tons of relief material to Vijayawada and Shamshabad. Helicopters are also on standby in the affected areas, ready to provide further assistance.
The situation has also disrupted transportation networks. Due to heavy rains and waterlogging on railway tracks, 432 trains were cancelled and 13 trains were partially cancelled on the South Central Railway network.
The Andhra Pradesh Governor, S Abdul Nazeer, has expressed deep concern over the heavy rain and flooding, which have disrupted daily life in Vijayawada and surrounding areas. He urged people to stay in safe locations, avoid going outside unless absolutely necessary, and seek assistance from government authorities in emergencies. He has also requested the Red Cross, Scouts and Guides, and other NGOs to actively participate in rescue and relief efforts, emphasizing the need for their involvement in distributing food, medicines, and other essential items to those affected.
The situation remains critical, with authorities working tirelessly to provide relief to the affected communities. The state governments have requested substantial federal funding to support recovery efforts and rebuild damaged infrastructure. This event serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of extreme weather events, underscoring the need for proactive disaster preparedness and mitigation measures.
