Telangana Rains: Khammam Witnesses Worst Floods In 30 Years Leaving People Stranded In Floodwaters For Hours

Khammam turned out to be the worst affected district in Telangana as torrential rains led to massive floods, leaving residential areas in several feet of muddy water, and locals fleeing to higher ground to save their lives.

Hyderabad: As many as 600 houses spread over 25 colonies in Khammam district, close to the Munneru river in Telangana, remained submerged even on Tuesday morning after heavy rains wreaked havoc across the southern state in the last 48 hours.

Locals in Khammam, Mahbubabad, Manuguru, and Kodad had to rush to the upper floors of their houses as flood waters breached into residential areas, going as high as 10 feet in certain pockets.

Scores of people were left stranded in flood for hours, with many having to worry about being rescued or at least, provided with water and food for survival. Many people were forced to flee to higher ground, seeking refuge in relatives’ homes and rehabilitation centres as they appealed to the government for assistance.

As a precautionary measure, officials cut off the power supply in the affected areas, leaving people in 25 colonies without electricity at midnight. According to officials, the town recorded a substantial rainfall of 16.5 cm in seven hours on Sunday followed by massive flooding with water levels reaching a whopping 36 feet, surpassing the 2022 record of 30.75 feet.

As Munneru raged, Paleru, Kinnerasani, and Palavagu rivers also caused significant damage, spilling over into residential areas, and turning the entire district into a lake. The estimated financial loss exceeds ₹5,000 crore as roads, bridges, national highways as well as 196 ponds and 64 canals under the irrigation department sustained severe damage.

Notably, it had been 30 years since people in Khammam had witnessed such a disaster in the city. People attribute the catastrophe to the alleged unauthorized and unabated construction near Munneru. Many alleged that there was no help from the government, despite three ministers representing the Khamman district.

Heavy rains and floods left a trail of devastation in other areas of the state as well, with the death toll rising to 21 as of Monday evening. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy who reviewed the situation on Monday in a high-level meeting announced Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia to the families of those deceased. He also declared Rs 5 crore assistance to the flood-hit districts of Khammam, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mahbubabad and Suryapet.

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