The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for five districts of Telangana for Wednesday, warning of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall at isolated locations. Alongside, an orange alert has been issued for nine districts, and a yellow alert for five more districts.
According to the IMD’s latest bulletin, the red alert applies to Hanumakonda, Jangaon, Mahabubabad, Warangal, and Yadadri Bhongir districts. These areas are expected to see intense rainfall that could cause waterlogging, flooding, and traffic disruption, The Hindu reported.
The orange alert covers Bhadradri Kothagudem, Hyderabad, Medchal Malkajgiri, Rangareddy, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Karimnagar, Mulugu, Peddapalli, and Siddipet districts, where heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely. The yellow alert is in place for Adilabad, Jagtial, Kumaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, and Rajanna Sircilla districts, signalling the possibility of heavy rain in isolated places.
The IMD also said thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds could occur in all 33 districts of the state. It has warned of the potential for extremely heavy rainfall on August 15 and 16, with amounts possibly exceeding 204.5 mm, according to a report by NDTV.
However, despite the forecasts on Tuesday, Hyderabad saw no rain until at least midnight although districts faced a downpour. Telangana Development Planning Society gauges showed 130.8 mm at Mangapet in Mulugu, 101 mm at Mallur in the same district and 96 mm at Venkatapuram, Deccan Chronicle reported.
Half-day holiday for schools
Meanwhile, the Hyderabad education department ordered half-day holidays for schools on Wednesday and Thursday, with the city facing a high-risk 72 hours. Friday is a holiday for Independence Day.
The weather department has predicted that a new low-pressure area will form over the west-central Bay of Bengal, which will further intensify the monsoon over Telangana. Combined with an existing cyclonic circulation, this system is expected to bring widespread rain and thunderstorms over the coming days, the DC report said.
The weather department has predicted that a new low-pressure area will form over the west-central Bay of Bengal, which will further intensify the monsoon over Telangana. Combined with an existing cyclonic circulation, this system is expected to bring widespread rain and thunderstorms over the coming days.
CM cancels leave of govt officials
In anticipation of this, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has cancelled all leave for government officials and staff until August 15, instructing them to stay alert and ready to respond to emergencies. During a video conference with district collectors on Tuesday, he directed them to take preventive measures to tackle flooding, ensure coordination with traffic police in Hyderabad, and prepare for disruptions caused by the heavy downpour, Telangana Today reported.
The CM noted that parts of the state had already experienced ‘cloudbursts,’ with two months’ worth of rain falling in just two hours.
Government orders emergency preparedness
The chief minister has issued several directives to different departments to minimise the impact of the upcoming rains. The irrigation department has been instructed to monitor inflows and outflows in reservoirs, tanks, and ponds and take preventive steps to avoid breaches in tank bunds and inform residents in low-lying areas about potential water releases.
Electricity department officials and staff have been asked to remain alert around the clock and to resolve issues with transformers, generators, and poles quickly.
Health officials have also been asked to ensure that necessary medicines are available at Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) and that ambulances are ready to transport pregnant women immediately.
The IT and education departments have been advised to assess the weather situation and consider work-from-home or leave arrangements where necessary.
District collectors have been asked to shift people from low-lying urban areas to relief camps and provide necessary arrangements. In case of livestock death due to lightning, the affected people will be entitled to compensation from the animal husbandry department after an FIR is filed.
The CM has also asked the police commissioners in the Tri-Commissionerate area to work closely with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HYDRA), and the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) department to ensure a coordinated response.
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