At least 27 people have been killed as heavy rains lashed Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for the second consecutive day on Sunday, causing widespread flooding and waterlogging, and disrupting road and rail traffic.
In Telangana, 15 people have died, while Andhra Pradesh has reported 12 fatalities. Rivers in both states are overflowing, prompting the national and state disaster response forces to evacuate thousands from flooded areas to relief camps.
Over 100 trains have been canceled so far, and several others have been diverted due to waterlogged tracks at multiple locations on the South Central Railway network, which covers Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, among other states.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and his Telangana counterpart A. Revanth Reddy, assuring them of all possible assistance from the Centre.
In Hyderabad, heavy rains have caused waterlogging in several parts of the city, prompting the declaration of a school holiday on Monday.
The weather department issued a red alert for very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in the districts of Adilabad, Nizamabad, Rajanna Sircilla, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Vikarabad, Sangareddy, Kamareddy, and Mahabubnagar in Telangana for Monday.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy held an emergency review meeting, instructing officials to stay alert and provide immediate relief in flood-affected areas. He also urged residents to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary.
In the worst-affected Vijayawada district, the Budameru rivulet overflowed at several points on Sunday, leading to flooding in many parts of the city.
Heavy rainfall is also expected on Monday in the districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Parvathipuram Manyam, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Kakinada, and Nandyala.