The casualties were reported from Nalgonda, Mahabubabad, Wanaparthy, and Gudenga districts, as unseasonal weather patterns swept across the state.
Published May 22, 2025 | 11:57 AM ⚊ Updated May 22, 2025 | 12:04 PM
The India Meteorological Department has issued a cautionary alert for Telangana, predicting likely thunderstorm activity accompanied by lightning and gusty winds to persist for the next four days.
Synopsis: Predicting more rain in several parts of Telangana, the IMD advised people to stay indoors during lightning activity and ensure safety measures are in place to prevent accidents and crop damage.
Four people, including a woman, were killed in lightning strikes that accompanied heavy thunderstorms in various parts of Telangana in the past 24 hours.
The casualties were reported from Nalgonda, Mahabubabad, Wanaparthy, and Gudenga districts, as unseasonal weather patterns swept across the state.
Those killed in lightning strikes were Bhikshamma (46), a woman farmer from Appajipet in Nalgonda district; Cheralu (55), a shepherd from Othay in Mahabubabad district; Praveen Kumar (27) from Gudenga; and Korava Nagaraju (18), a youngster from Miyapur in Wanaparthy district.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a cautionary alert for Telangana, predicting likely thunderstorm activity accompanied by lightning and gusty winds to persist for the next four days. Officials have urged the public—especially farmers, shepherds, and those working in open fields—to avoid exposure during stormy conditions.
Disaster Management authorities were coordinating with local administrations to monitor the situation and disseminate timely alerts to vulnerable communities.
Medak receives heavy rainfall
Medak town recorded the highest rainfall in the state during the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am Thursday, 22 May. The Medak Revenue Divisional Office recorded 11.9 cm of rain, while nearby Masaipet received 11.2 cm. These were the only two locations in the state to report rainfall exceeding 10 cm. Other areas including Kulcharam, Veldurthy, Chegunta, Toopran, Manoharabad, and Nizampet also received heavy downpours.
Hyderabad witnessed intense spells of rain on Wednesday evening, with Bandlaguda receiving up to 99 mm of rainfall. Saroornagar, Malakpet, Asmangadh, and Amberpet recorded rainfall between 89 mm and 93 mm, according to data from the Telangana State Development Planning Society (TSDPS).
Rainfall was widespread, affecting districts such as Sangareddy, Siddipet, and Mancherial. Tapalpur in Jannaram mandal recorded 112.5 mm, while several locations received rainfall between 64 mm and 115 mm.
The rains have also dealt a severe blow to farmers, particularly those who had brought harvested paddy to procurement centres. In Khanapur, Tanur, Soan, Basar, Mudhole and other mandals, paddy grains were drenched or washed away by rainwater, leading to significant losses. Farmers expressed concern over delays in procurement and the lack of adequate cover at the collection centres.
In IMD’s yellow alert issued for the period from 10:00 am on 22 May to 8:30 am on 23 May, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are very likely to occur at many places across Telangana. Maximum temperatures are expected to remain 3 to 5°C below normal during the next three days.
A warning has been issued for heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (40–50 kmph) at isolated places in Karimnagar, Mahabubabad, Warangal, and other districts. Similar conditions are likely in Hyderabad, Medak, Sangareddy, and surrounding areas.
Residents are advised to stay indoors during lightning activity and ensure safety measures are in place to prevent accidents and crop damage.
Meanwhile, the criteria required for declaring southwest monsoon were met in Kerala on Wednesday. However, the IMD refrained from declaring the onset due to a system in the Arabian Sea near the north Karnataka-Goa coasts.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
