Cyclone Montha batters Telangana, schools flooded and transport hit
NALGONDA: Continuous rains since Tuesday night have inundated the Gurukul Boys’ Residential School at Kommapalli in Devarakonda mandal. Floodwaters from a nearby stream entered the campus, trapping around 500 students.
Terrified students shouted for help as water gushed in. Rescue teams used ropes to evacuate all students safely. District Collector Ila Tripathi visited the school to review the situation.
Under the impact of Cyclone Montha, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of flash floods across 16 Telangana districts. Adilabad, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Jagtial, Kamareddy, Karimnagar, Siddipet, Warangal, Jangaon, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Hanamkonda, Mahabubabad, Medak, Medchal-Malkajgiri and Peddapalli are under flood threat.
The IMD issued a red alert for Warangal, Hanamkonda and Mahabubabad, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall. Orange alerts were issued for Adilabad, Nirmal, Jagtial, Mancherial, Rajanna Sircilla, Peddapalli, Karimnagar, Siddipet, Jangaon, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Jayashankar Bhupalpally and Suryapet districts. Yellow alerts were sounded for Asifabad, Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Medak, Ranga Reddy, Nalgonda, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem and Khammam.
In Mahabubabad district, floodwaters covered railway tracks near Dornakal station, halting train services. Officials stopped the Golconda Express and Konark Express for safety reasons.
In Hyderabad, heavy rainfall led to severe waterlogging in Hitec City, Madhapur, the IT corridor and Raidurg, resulting in traffic jams.
A car got stuck while crossing a stream between Avusalikunta and Ambatipalli villages in Lingala mandal of Nagarkurnool district. Rescue teams pulled out the occupants using a JCB.
Hyderabad Roads and Buildings and Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy directed officials to remain on high alert and monitor road conditions across districts. He instructed engineers not to take leave and to coordinate with police, revenue, irrigation, power and panchayat raj departments.
The minister also reviewed the R&B control centre operations, asking officials to ensure alternative routes for emergency transport. “People should avoid venturing out unless absolutely necessary and follow safety advisories,” Venkat Reddy said.
In a separate review, Transport Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao spoke to the collectors of Khammam and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts. He directed officials to alert residents of low-lying areas, ensure strict monitoring at tanks and reservoirs, and deploy police to prevent people from crossing flooded streams. He advised farmers to delay harvesting paddy until the rains subside and urged the public to stay indoors unless essential.
