Telangana Floods Leave Many Stranded
Telangana Floods: Heavy Rains Cause Havoc, Hundreds Rescued and Several Missing
Unprecedented Rainfall Triggers Disaster
Telangana has been reeling under the fury of nature as torrential rains battered several districts, unleashing widespread flooding, destruction, and panic. From late Tuesday night, August 26, through the early hours of Wednesday, the state witnessed some of the heaviest downpours in recent memory.
The worst-hit areas included Kamareddy, Medak, and parts of Rajanna Siricilla, where overflowing reservoirs and streams inundated entire villages, washed away vehicles, and disrupted transportation. The floods displaced families, stranded workers, and tragically claimed lives.
Officials reported that at least 504 people have been rescued by disaster response teams so far, while others remain trapped or missing.
Kamareddy: A District Drenched in Disaster
The Kamareddy district bore the brunt of the calamity. The Pedda Cheruvu reservoir, unable to contain the swelling waters, overflowed and breached into residential areas. The Housing Board Colony was one of the worst-affected, with floodwaters rushing through homes, leaving residents with no choice but to take shelter on rooftops.
More than 50 residents were trapped in their homes, surrounded by waist-deep waters. According to local sources, at least 15 cars and 12 motorcycles were swept away as torrents raged through colonies.
The backwaters of the Kalyan Project in Annasagar village, Yellareddypet mandal, also caused severe flooding, forcing the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to carry out multiple rescue operations. Dozens of villagers clung to trees and rooftops until teams reached them.
Roads, Railways Washed Away
The heavy rains not only affected villages but also devastated key infrastructure.
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The National Highway connecting Kamareddy and Hyderabad was rendered impassable as stretches of the road collapsed under gushing waters.
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Railway services in the Kamareddy–Nizamabad sector were suspended after parts of the track were completely eroded.
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Passengers were stranded at stations, with no clarity on when services would resume.
Officials warned that restoration could take several days, depending on rainfall in the coming hours.
Meteorological Data: A Deluge Beyond Imagination
Meteorologist T. Balaji issued a flash flood alert for Kamareddy, Medak, and Siddipet after rainfall data revealed staggering numbers.
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Rajampet recorded an unprecedented 423 mm rainfall within ten hours.
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Ramayanpet received 316.3 mm, while Bhiknoor measured 299 mm.
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Narsingi Shivanoor (289.4 mm), Havelingapur (287 mm), and Laxmapur (253.3 mm) were among the worst-affected.
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Kamareddy town itself received 236 mm rainfall, enough to flood multiple colonies.
Balaji warned that another 100 mm of rainfall could follow, further worsening the crisis.
Farmer Swept Away in Siricilla
The floods also claimed lives. In Rajanna Siricilla district, a dairy farmer named Nagaiah was tragically swept away while grazing his buffaloes near Maneru Vagu in Gambhiraopet mandal.
Officials reported that water levels suddenly rose after the Narmala Project (Upper Manair Reservoir) released water downstream. Caught in the sudden surge, Nagaiah could not escape.
In addition, five other farmers — Mahesh, Swamy, Yellaiah, Narasimhulu, and Narsaiah — were trapped along the riverbank. SDRF teams, with assistance from local police, launched an urgent search and rescue mission, while district authorities monitored the situation closely.
Trapped Workers and Terrified Villagers
The floods created heart-wrenching visuals of stranded citizens calling for help.
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In Yellareddy mandal (Kamareddy district), nine labourers working near Boggugudise Vagu became stranded when Thimmapur Cheruvu overflowed. They were seen clinging to a half-submerged tanker, shouting for rescue. SDRF teams rushed to their aid.
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In Medak’s Haveli Ghanpur mandal, a four-wheeler carrying four passengers was swept away in Nakka Vagu. Locals had warned the driver not to risk crossing the stream, but he ignored the advice. Authorities are still identifying the missing passengers.
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A mandal irrigation tank burst in the same district, releasing even more water into surrounding villages.
The Dhupsing Thanda hamlet of Medak was entirely submerged, forcing residents to scramble to rooftops. Lambada tribal hamlets in Rajampet mandal (Kamareddy) faced similar devastation.
Educational Institutions Inundated
The flooding also disrupted educational institutions.
In Ramayampet, the Government SC Women’s Degree College was inundated. Nearly 300 students were trapped inside the campus as water levels rose. Police and rescue teams swiftly evacuated the young women and shifted them to safer locations.
The incident sparked discussions on the vulnerability of schools and colleges situated near water bodies.
Government and Relief Agencies on High Alert
Recognizing the severity of the situation, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Medak and Kamareddy districts, warning of continuing heavy to very heavy rainfall.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy personally directed district collectors and local officials to remain on high alert. In a press statement, he stressed that “no stone should be left unturned” in ensuring the safety of citizens.
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SDRF teams have been deployed across the affected mandals.
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State officials are coordinating with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) units for reinforcement.
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Relief camps have been set up in flood-affected villages to provide food, drinking water, and shelter.
Citizens Voice Fears and Anger
On the ground, citizens expressed both fear and frustration.
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Many complained about the lack of early warnings before reservoirs were allowed to overflow.
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Farmers lamented the loss of standing crops, particularly paddy fields, which were submerged under several feet of water.
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Families in submerged hamlets said they had lost not only property but also livestock, further endangering their livelihoods.
Social media platforms were flooded with videos of stranded villagers, submerged highways, and children being carried through floodwaters.
Environmentalists: A Wake-Up Call
Experts and environmentalists highlighted that Telangana has witnessed increasing frequency of extreme weather events in recent years. Unchecked urbanisation, deforestation, and encroachments on lake beds have worsened the impact of floods.
Hydrologists warned that unless reservoir management and urban drainage systems are improved, floods like these could become more common.
Looking Ahead: Recovery and Rehabilitation
The immediate focus remains on rescue and relief. However, long-term challenges loom:
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Restoration of Transport: Railways and highways in Kamareddy must be rebuilt.
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Agricultural Damage: Thousands of acres of farmland stand destroyed, requiring government compensation packages.
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Housing and Livelihoods: Entire hamlets submerged will need relocation and rehabilitation.
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Flood Preparedness: The government must strengthen early-warning systems and ensure embankments and tanks are regularly inspected.
Chief Minister Reddy has hinted at a special relief package, though details are awaited
Conclusion
The floods across Kamareddy, Medak, and Siricilla have brought Telangana to a standstill, exposing the state’s vulnerabilities to extreme weather. While rescue teams have saved over 500 people, many remain stranded, and tragic losses have already been reported.
As citizens anxiously await normalcy, this calamity underscores the urgent need for climate resilience, better urban planning, and robust disaster management.
For now, Telangana prays for clear skies and the safe return of those still missing.
Disclaimer
This article is a rewritten news report based on publicly available updates. It does not claim to provide official government figures, which may change as authorities release further information. Readers are encouraged to follow state disaster management advisories for verified updates.