Andhra-Telangana Floods: 31 Dead, Rescue Ops Intensified; CMs Seek 'National Calamity' Status — Updates

In the flood triggered by heavy rains, Telangana has reported 16 fatalities while Andhra Pradesh has recorded 15 deaths with the latter suffering significant damage.

Vijayawada, in particular, has been severely affected, with continuous rainfall over the last three days and prolonged power outages disrupting daily life.

Source : PTI

Heavy rainfall in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh has resulted in severe flooding, claiming the lives of 31 people, disrupting transportation, and damaging extensive areas of agricultural land. Thousands of residents in both states are struggling to access essential supplies as rescue efforts continue.

Telangana has reported 16 fatalities, while Andhra Pradesh has recorded 15 deaths, with the latter suffering significant damage, as reported by PTI. Approximately 4.5 lakh people in Andhra Pradesh have been affected, with many in the hardest-hit areas, including Vijayawada, facing shortages of essentials like milk. NTR, Guntur, Krishna, Eluru, Palnadu, Bapatla, and Prakasam districts are among the most impacted, according to an official release. Twenty State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams and 19 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are actively engaged in rescue and relief operations.

Vijayawada, in particular, has been severely affected, with continuous rainfall over the last three days and prolonged power outages disrupting daily life.

Chief Ministers Urge National Calamity Status

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu described the recent floods as the "worst disaster" he has encountered in his political career. Naidu plans to request the central government to declare the situation a national calamity, citing the extensive loss of life and property. "In my career, this is the biggest disaster...We had events like the Hudhud hurricane and Titli cyclone, but the human suffering and property loss here are far greater," he stated during a press briefing at the NTR district Collectorate, which has been converted into a temporary secretariat amid the crisis.

Meanwhile, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy estimated the damage in the state at around Rs 5,000 crore and appealed for immediate central assistance of Rs 2,000 crore. He also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the affected areas and announce the floods as a national calamity. Reddy declared an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the families of those who lost their lives in the rain-related incidents. During his visit to the rain-hit regions, he met with ministers and officials in Suryapet to assess the damage.

After visiting flood-hit areas in Suryapet & Khammam districts on Monday, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy said,"16 people lost their lives due to heavy rains in the state. Old Khammam, Warangal and Nalgonda districts suffered severe damage. Crops have been damaged in lakhs of acres, canals and ponds breached, road network cut off and electric substations and electric poles also damaged. Preliminary estimation indicated a loss of Rs 5,438 crores in property damages."

Rahul Expresses Solidarity

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed solidarity with the people of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh through a post on social media platform X, offering condolences to the families of the deceased. He urged Congress workers to mobilize resources for relief efforts and called on both state and central governments to provide comprehensive rehabilitation packages to support the affected communities.

The situation remains critical, with rescue operations ongoing and authorities urging swift action to address the needs of those impacted by the devastating floods.

My thoughts are with the people of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh as they endure relentless rainfall and devastating floods.

I extend my deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. I urge Congress leaders and workers to mobilize all available resources to…

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 2, 2024