New Delhi: Torrential rains have continued to lash Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, leading to devastating floods and waterlogging across the states. At least 10 more people have lost their lives due to the inclement weather. In response, 26 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed for rescue and relief operations, with 12 teams already on the ground and 14 more on the way, including eight being airlifted from various locations.
The NDRF teams are equipped with inflatable boats, pole and tree cutters, and essential medical supplies, ready to assist in the flood-affected areas. The relentless rains have caused severe disruptions to both road and rail traffic. On Sunday, 99 trains were canceled, four were partially canceled, and 54 were diverted due to waterlogging on the South Central Railway (SCR) network.
Rivers in both states are swollen, prompting the evacuation of thousands of residents by both national and state disaster response forces to relief camps. In light of the worsening situation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached out to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, assuring them of full support from the central government.
Amid the ongoing heavy rainfall, the SCR has canceled 21 additional trains and diverted 10 more due to track waterlogging at several locations. The railway track between Kesamudram and Mahabubabad in Telangana has also suffered damage, further complicating travel.
Passengers of the affected trains were transported by road to Kazipet Junction, where alternative ‘scratch rake’ trains were arranged to continue their journey. The railways have also set up helpline numbers in Hyderabad, Warangal, Kazipet, and Khammam to assist stranded passengers.
