As Telangana experienced heavy rains for the third consecutive day, a man died in the Warangal district as a dilapidated house collapsed.
Zafargarh in Jangaon district received 175.8 mm of rain as of 6 am on 20 July, while in Miyapur, Hyderabad, 73.8 mm rain was reported as of 6 am. (Screengrab)
As incessant rain lashed Telangana for two days — 18 and 19 July — the India Meteorological Department put out a red alert for five districts for the next 24 hours on Thursday, 20 July.
In its weather forecast and the farmers’ weather bulletin, the IMD issued a red alert for four districts of the state.
It said that heavy (64.5-115.5 mm) to very heavy rains (115.6-204.4 mm) with extremely heavy rains (more than 205 mm) were likely to occur at isolated places in the Kumaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, and Mahabubnagar districts of Telangana.
Issuing an orange alert for 10 districts, the IMD said that heavy to very heavy rain was very likely to occur at isolated places in Warangal, Hanamkonda, Jangaon, Siddipet, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Rangareddy, Vikarabad, Sangareddy, Medak, and Narayanpet districts.
It also issued a yellow alert for 12 districts, stating heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places in Adilabad, Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Mahabubabad, Hyderabad, Medchal-Malkajgiri, and Kamareddy districts.
Heavy rain was predicted as the low-pressure area is lying over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Odisha coast, and also the associated cyclonic circulation extends up to 7.6 km above mean sea level.
According to the Telangana State Development Planning Society (TSDPS), the state experienced an average rainfall of 34.5 mm in the last 24 hours, which is significantly higher than the normal average of 7.0 mm, with a deviation of 393 percent.
The highest recorded rainfall in the state was 199.5 mm in Bejjur, Kumuram Bheem district.
In specific districts, very heavy rainfall — ranging from 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm — was observed in isolated places in Kumuram Bheem, Medak, Siddipet, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Jangaon, and Mahabubabad districts.
Heavy rainfall — ranging from 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm — was recorded in isolated places in Kumuram Bheem, Mancherial, Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Siddipet, Medak, Sangareddy, Jangaon, Warangal, Mahabubabad, Jayashankar, Mulugu, and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts.
Moderate rainfall — ranging between 15.6 mm and 64.4 mm — was observed in many places across the state, except in Nagarkurnool, Jogulamba, and Narayanpet districts, where only light rains were reported.
As of 20 July, the state’s average cumulative rainfall from 1 June to 20 July was 279.3 mm, slightly above the normal average of 264.6 mm, with a deviation of 6 percent.
In the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) area, the highest recorded rainfall in the last 24 hours was 55.1 mm in Kukatpally, Hyderabad district.
The GHMC’s average cumulative rainfall from 1 June to 20 July was 214.3 mm, with a deviation of 0.9 percent from the normal average of 212.4 mm.
The maximum temperatures expected in the state range from 27°C to 30°C, while the minimum temperatures are expected to be in the range of 22°C to 25°C. In the various districts, maximum temperatures are expected to be in the range of 24°C to 26°C, while the minimum temperatures are anticipated to be between 22°C to 24°C.
A man died in Warangal district after a dilapidated house collapsed on him following the downpour. The 45-year-old man, who was mentally unsound, died on Tuesday night, the police said.
The India Meteorological Department said that the Southwest Monsoon has been vigorous over Telangana.
Heavy rainfall occurred at a few places in Adilabad and Mulugu districts and at isolated places in Kamareddy, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Warangal and other districts in the state, it said.
With the heavy rains continuing for the third consecutive day, the state government was prompted to declare a holiday for schools on 20 and 21 July.
Education Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy tweeted regarding the closure of schools for the two days.
“Keeping in view of the heavy rainfall in the state and under the instructions of the Honourable CM, KCR garu, the Govt has decided to declare holidays for two days to all education institutions in the state. That is Thursday and Friday,” the Minister said via her Twitter handle.
Keeping in view of the heavy rainfall in the state and under the instructions of the Honourable CM, KCR garu, the Govt has decided to declare holidays for two days to all education institutions in the state. That is Thursday and Friday.
— Sabitha Reddy (@BrsSabithaIndra) July 20, 2023
Additionally, Osmania University, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, and Dr BR Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU) have postponed exams for the next two days, following the two-day holiday announcement.
It may be noted that Osmania University students have been agitating to get the exams postponed because they said their syllabus had not been completed.
However, the declaration of holiday seemed to have come a tad bit late for some, as this parent pointed out:
Daughter left for school in heavy downpour. She is unwell but has to go since she has an exam! Bus comes at 7:30, school starts at 8:15.
Education minister declares holidays for two days at 8:18am! Met department declared orange alert to the city 2 days ago. #HyderabadRains pic.twitter.com/ElxbGoZZj2— Revathi (@revathitweets) July 20, 2023
State Municipal Administration Minister KT Rama Rao, who held a meeting with officials, directed them to be prepared to deal with the situation if heavy rains lash Hyderabad in the next two-three days.
He told them that safeguarding people’s lives should be the top priority, an official release said. GHMC officials informed the Minister that they are ready with a monsoon plan.
With heavy rainfall forecast in Hyderabad for the next two to three days, MA&UD Minister @KTRBRS held a review meeting with senior officials from @TSMAUDOnline department.
At the outset, the Minister exhorted the officials to:
➡️ Prioritize prevention of loss of life as the… pic.twitter.com/IGwiBwLgWA
— KTR, Former Minister (@MinisterKTR) July 19, 2023
In Bhadradri Kothagudem district, Collector Priyanka Ala visited low-lying areas and gave directives to the officials on the steps to be taken following heavy rains.
In the wake of the fast rising Godavari river water levels at Bhadrachalam, DC Ala alerted the government machinery to be on high alert.
The Collector also visited a school in the town where a relief centre would be set up for people whose localities may get inundated.
Godavari is flowing at 40 feet as of 9 am on Thursday even as 8,05,158 cusecs of water is being released downstream, an official release said.
Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TSSPDCL) Chairman and Managing Director Raghuma Reddy appealed to the public to follow these self-precautions during rains:
In case of any emergency related to electricity, the TSSPDCL urged people to call 1912, 100, or the local office and special control room of the electricity department on 7382071574, 7382072106, and 7382072104.
In addition to this, Southern Telangana Power Distribution Company Chairman and Managing Director Raghuma Reddy said that electricity-related problems could be brought to their attention through the organisation’s mobile app, website, Twitter, and Facebook.
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