The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert has been issued for extremely heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and strong surface winds in the districts of Adilabad, Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Rajanna Sircilla, Warangal, Suryapet, and Mahabubnagar on Sunday (01 September).
Additionally, an orange alert for very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and strong surface winds has been issued for the rest of the region, excluding Kumaram Bheem, Mancherial, Peddapalle, J Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Hyderabad, M. Malkajgiri, Y. Bhuvanagiri, and Khammam, where a yellow alert is in effect for moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and surface winds.
• Meanwhile, on Monday (02 September), a red alert has been issued for thunderstorms, lightning, and strong surface winds in Wanaparthy and Mahabubnagar. A yellow alert has been issued for the rest of the region, except for Nalgonda, Suryapet, and Jogulamba Gadwal.
• In light of the anticipated rainfall, Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari has directed district collectors to implement safety measures in response to the IMD’s warning of continued heavy rainfall across the state. The ongoing rainfall have already led to swollen streams in districts such as Mahabubabad, Narayanpet, and Khammam.
• In preparation, the state government has established control rooms in every district collector’s office, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), and the state secretariat.
• The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are on standby in Hyderabad and Vijayawada, ready for deployment if needed.
• Officers have been appointed to monitor overflowing streams, and all primary and secondary schools in Hyderabad will remain closed on Monday (02 September).
• Additionally, the government has advised measures to prevent tank contamination and ensure proper chlorination to avoid disease outbreaks. A proactive plan has been developed for evacuating people from flood-affected areas and establishing relief camps.
• Hyderabad’s twin reservoirs, Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar, are nearing full tank levels due to the unrelenting rainfall. The water level in Osman Sagar is recorded at 1781.5 feet, close to its full tank level of 1790 feet, while Himayat Sagar is approximately eight feet below its full tank level of 1763.5 feet.
• In response to the situation, officials from the Revenue, Irrigation, and other departments have been directed to focus on rescue and relief operations.
• The weather forecast for Hyderabad over the next 48 hours predicts moderate to heavy rainfall or thunderstorms, with surface winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kilometer per hour (kmph).
