Andhra Pradesh, Telangana rain Highlights: Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu announces compensation of ₹5 lakh to flood victims kin

The Centre is closely monitoring the current flood situation in Andhra Pradesh and has constituted a team of experts that will visit the flood-affected areas of the state for an on-the-spot assessment and make recommendations for immediate relief, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday (September 4, 2024). So far, 20 people have died in the rains and floods which caused damage in several parts of Andhra Pradesh, especially Vijayawada.

In a post on X, he said, “The Modi government is closely monitoring the flood situation in Andhra Pradesh. Today Union Home Ministry constituted a central team of experts headed by Additional Secretary (Disaster Management). The team visits flood-affected areas for on-the-spot assessment of flood management, reservoir management, dam safety, etc. and makes recommendations for immediate relief.”

- PTI

The Union Home Ministry has pointed out that the Telangana government did not complete the formalities for the speedy release of Central share under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for the current financial year, despite the State making a strong pitch for immediate central assistance for taking up relief and rehabilitation of people affected by recent floods.

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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday (September 4, 2024) provided an ex gratia fund of ₹5 lakh to the kin of 20 people who perished in rain-related incidents in the state, even as rescue/relief operations continued in parts of Vijayawada.

Around 20 people have died in the rains and floods which caused damage in several parts of the state, especially Vijayawada.

In a teleconference, the Chief Minister instructed officials to identify the deceased people’s families to hand over their bodies or perform last rites on behalf of the government.

- PTI

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan says, “When it comes to encroachments in urban areas, no action is taken. The previous governments did not pay attention to it.”

He says, “The Central government would do whatever is needed for the State if the situation arises...”

The Andhra Pradesh Congress president Y. S. Sharmila says the damage to the pillar at Gate No. 69 of Prakasam Barrage seemed like “an act of sabotage”. 

Ms. Sharmila, along with party leaders, visits the barrage in the wake of reports of the damage to the project gate. She says the government should order an inquiry into the circumstances that led to the incident of boats colliding with the project and causing damage to its pillar, and stringently punish those found guilty of it.

Rainfall is set to return to Telangana, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an orange alert for two districts and a yellow alert for ten districts. 

According to IMD’s bulletin, heavy to very heavy rainfall (orange alert) is expected in isolated areas of Jayashankar Bhupalpally and Mulugu districts. 

Meanwhile, heavy rain (yellow alert) is likely to occur at isolated locations in Adilabad, Kumuram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Jagtial, Rajanna Sircilla, Karimnagar, Peddapalli, and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts.

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party MLAs, MPs, and MLCs will donate a month’s salary to aid victims of the flood, announced the party’s senior leader and former Minister T. Harish Rao. He says that this is as per the decision taken by the party president and former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao. He urges people to come forward to extend help to the victims.

More personalities from the Telugu film industry, including Chiranjeevi, and Mahesh Babu, come forward to support flood relief efforts in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

“As part of this process, I am announcing my contribution of one crore rupees (50 lakhs each to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana CM Relief Fund) to help the relief of the people in the two states. I pray to God that these dire situations will end soon and that all the people will be safe (sic),” Chiranjeevi wrote in Telugu on X.

Actor Mahesh Babu took to X and said, “In light of the floods impacting both the Telugu states, I am pledging a donation of 50 lakhs each to the CM Relief Fund for both AP and Telangana.” 

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that several areas in Telangana experienced very heavy rainfall in the past 24 hours. The data, covering the period from 8.30 a.m. of Tuesday (September 3) to 8.30 a.m. of Wednesday (September 4), shows that Husnabad in Siddipet recorded the highest rainfall at 17 cm.

This was followed by 13 cm in Nandipet and Makloor in Nizamabad, 13 cm in Yellandu in Bhadradri Kothagudem, and 12 cm in Nanganur in Siddipet.

The Congress government has been advised to make use of the ₹1,345.15 crore available with the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for providing relief and rehabilitation measures in the rains and flood-hit regions of the State by Telangana BJP president and Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy on Tuesday (September 3, 2024).

“More funds can be obtained from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) after submitting utilisation certificates and based on the official survey reports on the extent of loss suffered,” he told a press conference at the State office.

Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited (MEIL) has promptly responded to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu’s call to assist the flood-affected people of Vijayawada.

In collaboration with the Hare Krishna Movement India, MEIL has initiated a food distribution program, providing breakfast, lunch, dinner, and water bottles.

On Tuesday, it distributed food to 1,35,000 people at Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium in Vijayawada. Breakfast was distributed to 25,000 people and lunch and dinner was distributed to 1,10,000 people.

- PTI

As Hyderabad grapples with incessant rains, gig workers who have been braving the adverse weather conditions shared the challenges they face while delivering food and groceries and transporting passengers to their destinations.

Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU), a body working for the welfare of gig and platform workers, recently submitted a memorandum to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), seeking comprehensive insurance for workers and better access to early warning systems in the aftermath of heatwaves experienced across the country earlier this year.

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Incessant rains a reminder for better conditions for gig workers

Hyderabad gig workers face challenges in heavy rains, lack support from companies, seek insurance and better working conditions.

BRS working president KT Rama Rao on Tuesday (September 3, 2024) accused Telangana CM Revanth Reddy of revealing wrong data about the deaths due to recent floods.

Mr. KTR shared a post on X (formerly Twitter), listing a total of 31 deceased and alleged that the Government has “failed to do a proper assessment.”

The Water level in Hyderabad’s Hussain Sagar was +513.65 m on Wednesday (September 4, 2024) morning against the Full Tank Level of +513.41 m.

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Commissioner Amrapali Kata visited the areas flooded in Kukatpally zone and assured action. Colonies such as Safdar Nagar and Rajeev Nagar near Mysamma Cheruvu in Kukatpally were inundated due to continuous rains for the past few days. Ms. Amrapali issued instructions to the Zonal Commissioner, Apurv Chauhan, to speed up the stormwater drain works for the prevention of flooding.

She also issued directions for potable water supply, anti-larval operations and fogging for prevention of vector-borne diseases, and health camps, besides asking officials to make immersion arrangements at IDL Lake and Mysamma Lake.

A team of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) officials, staff and workers have left for Vijayawada to engage and assist in the rescue and rehabilitation activities following the floods in Vijayawada, here on Tuesday (September 3, 2024).

Led by GVMC Commissioner P. Sampath Kumar, the team also includes Additional Commissioner S.S. Varma and Chief Medical Officer Naresh Kumar. The team also includes a Superintending Engineer, three Executive Engineers, three Deputy Executive Engineers and eight Assistant Engineers.

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party MLAs conducted an extensive tour of the flood-affected areas in Khammam and expressed disappointment with the Congress government’s “failure” to respond effectively to the floods.

Following the tour in Khammam, including Karunagiri Rajiv Gruhakalpa, Venkateshwara Nagar, and Bokkalagadda areas on Monday (September 2) the MLAs held a press meeting at the Khammam BRS party office, where former Minister Harish Rao strongly criticised the State Government’s handling of the flood situation, as per a release by the BRS.

- ANI

Heavy rains hit parts of Hyderabad late Tuesday (September 3, 2024) night, primarily affecting the city’s northern and eastern areas, including Alwal, Nacharam, Mallapur, Quthbullapur, Balanagar, and Patancheru. 

Residents reported intense downpours accompanied by lightning and thunder. The heavy rainfall led to flooding in areas like Miyapur, Alwal and a few other locations, prompting officials from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to begin clearing water stagnation points.

At midnight, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Hyderabad, Medchal-Malkajgiri, and surrounding regions, cautioning residents to remain alert for the next three hours.

Thousands of denizens, who are enduring one of the worst flood furies in the last several decades in Vijayawada, on Tuesday (August 3, 2024) were seen moving out of their houses to safety as the flood water receded a little, allowing them to wade through the flooded streets.

As many as 4,15,171 people were affected by rain and flood in Andhra Pradesh. The government has shifted 43,417 people to 163 relief camps across the State. The government has set up 197 medical camps.