New Delhi: Moderate to heavy rainfall has continued to batter parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, leading to severe disruptions and tragic losses. On Saturday, eight individuals were reported dead in rain-related incidents in Andhra Pradesh. Among these fatalities, five occurred in Vijayawada due to landslides, while several low-lying areas in Telangana remain submerged, isolating communities. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted additional rainfall in both states over the coming days, prompting state authorities to advise residents to exercise caution and stay indoors.Landslides and fatalities in Andhra PradeshThe impact of the relentless rain was particularly severe in Andhra Pradesh. In Mogalrajapuram, a landslide caused by the heavy downpour resulted in large boulders crashing into two homes. This disaster has claimed several lives. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has responded by announcing an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh to the families of each landslide victim. In an official statement, the Chief Minister also instructed officials to evacuate residents from landslide-prone areas as the state braces for more rainfall in the next two to three days.అల్లూరి జిల్లా: రంపచోడవరం ఏజెన్సీలో పెద్ద కొండ గ్రామానికి వెళ్లే రహదారిపై విరిగి పడ్డ కొండ చరియలు.తుఫాను కారణంగా గత మూడు రోజులుగా కురుస్తున్న భారీ వర్షానికి విరిగిపడుతున్న కొండ చరియలు.కొండ చరియలు విరిగిపడే సమయానికి అటుగా ఎవరు వెళ్లకపోవడంతో తప్పిన ప్రమాదం. #Andhrapradesh… pic.twitter.com/i1Zb0fSU8G— BIG TV Breaking News (@bigtvtelugu) September 1, 2024Forecast and areas affectedThe weather conditions are expected to remain turbulent, with the depression that has been affecting the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts now moving northwestward. It has crossed the coast near Kalingapatnam in southern Andhra Pradesh. As a result, heavy rain is anticipated in several districts, including Srikakulam, Vijayanagaram, Parvatipuram Manyam, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Kakinada and Nandyala.Heavy rains in #AndhraPradesh causing chaotic situation in multiple locations in Eluru district Nuzivid, a large pond in town said to have been breached at two places flooding surrounding areas 50 houses said to have been flooded farmers worried about standing crop under water pic.twitter.com/0o4Rib6unY— Uma Sudhir (@umasudhir) August 31, 2024#WATCH | Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh: Following heavy rain in the region, Pulichintala project dam overflows pic.twitter.com/ePeFED760s— ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2024Train services disrupted: passengers strandedThe impact of the rains has also been felt in the rail network, with approximately 20 trains halted at various stations between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Flooding has caused significant delays and disruptions. South Central Railway (SCR) has taken measures to address the situation, including arranging special trains to transport stranded passengers to destinations like Chennai, Tirupati, and Visakhapatnam.According to V. Rambabu, the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager in Vijayawada, trains such as the Tamilnadu Express, Charminar Express, and Godavari Express were stopped at Kondapalli and Rayanapadu stations due to water overflowing on the tracks. SCR Chief Public Relations Officer A. Sridhar noted that trains were halted as a precautionary measure in places like Kesamudram, Dornakal and Khammam due to breaches and track inundation.Efforts to assist stranded passengersUnder the direction of Vijayawada Divisional Railway Manager Narendra A. Patil, passengers on the halted trains were relocated to Vijayawada railway station. All passengers are reported to be safe, with APSRTC buses and tractors mobilized to assist in their transport. “The Tamilnadu Express was stopped at Rayanapadu railway station around 1 a.m. Thanks to the railway authorities who arranged buses and saved us,” said Anantharam, a passenger.The railway authorities also deployed cranes to rescue passengers trapped in floodwaters. Essential supplies like food, milk and drinking water were provided at Rayanapadu, Kondapalli and Vijayawada railway stations. Many trains have been either canceled or diverted due to the severe weather conditions.
