Rescue operations in flood-hit Hyderabad continues

No major evacuation effort was initiated by the army here on Sunday. However, several colonies in Alwal, Nizampet, Hakimpet and Begumpet areas remained submerged, with municipal authorities making no efforts to plug breaches in water bodies.

As many as 17 people, including eight in Medak district, have died in the past few days in rain-related incidents across the state. Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao cancelled the state Cabinet meeting on Sunday and dispatched all ministers and officials to their respective constituencies to oversee relief work. 

Meanwhile, rescue personnel continued with their operations by providing relief material round-the-clock and helping residents evacuate their flooded homes. Six teams



from the National Disaster Response Force have been helping the army in clearing debris clogging drains in several areas.

“We are watching the situation very closely as the Met office has predicted heavy rain till Monday. Any more rain could tilt the balance,” an army spokesperson at the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) control room said. 

The army has already kept boats and other equipment required for emergency evacuation at centrally located areas. The GHMC is also concerned about the rising water levels of the Musi river, which could submerge a major portion of hitherto-safe old city and surrounding areas. In Andhra Pradesh, heavy rain lashed several coastal districts, particularly Guntur.