Flood fury: Telangana Disaster Response Department rescues 1,639 people in 3 days

Hyderabad: Over the past three days, the Telangana Disaster Response and Fire Services Department has rescued 1,639 individuals in a series of operations in flood-hit districts of the state. The total loss estimated in Telangana due to the flood fury is Rs 5438 crores.

From rescuing stranded individuals to removing uprooted trees and dewatering inundated areas, the department has conducted hundreds of operations across Telangana.

Total loss of Telangana state

Initial estimates show that the total loss approximately is Rs 5438 crores.

Roads (R&B dept.) - Rs 2362 crs

Energy department (damage to electrical installation) Rs 175 crs

Crop loss (in 415000 acres) Rs 415 crs

Irrigation (repair to minor tanks) Rs 629 crs

Panchayati Raj & Rural Development (incl. RWS) Rs 170 crs

Medical and Health dept. Rs 12 crs

Animal Husbandary dept. Rs 25 crs

Municipal Administration dept. Rs 1150 crs

Damages in other dept. / public properties Rs 500 crs

Summary of Rescue Operations

The department carried out multiple rescue operations from August 31, 2024, to September 2, 2024, as detailed below:

- Flood Rescues from Houses: A total of 1,639 individuals were rescued from flood-affected houses across the state. 4000 people shifted to safety camps. 110 relief camps have been set across the state.

- Flood Rescues from Vehicles: Eight people were rescued from vehicles trapped in floodwaters.

- Tree Cutting Operations: The department responded to 10 incidents of uprooted trees.

- Dead Body Retrievals: Three dead bodies were retrieved in different incidents across the state.

- Dewatering Operations: One dewatering operation was carried out in a waterlogged area.

- Wall Collapse Rescue: One individual was rescued following a wall collapse incident.

District-Wise Rescue Efforts

The following are detailed accounts of the rescue operations carried out in various districts:

Hyderabad District

- Mettuguda: An uprooted tree near Mettuguda was cleared by the Snorkel Fire Station team.

- Jubilee Hills: Uprooted trees were removed by teams from the Jubilee Hills and Punjagutta fire stations.

- Toli Chowk and IDPL, Balanagar: Similar tree-cutting operations were conducted by the Punjagutta and Sanathnagar fire stations.

- Nagarjuna Nagar Colony, Tarnaka: The Moulali Fire Station responded to an uprooted tree incident.

Kamareddy District

- YellaReddy and Bhavani Nagar: A stranded driver was rescued, and multiple tree-cutting operations were conducted.

- Guru Raghavendra Colony: 105 people were rescued from floodwaters.

- Bharat Petrol Pump, Sircilla Road: Tree-cutting operations were carried out.

Khammam District

- Vangaveedu Village: One person was rescued from a flooded canal.

- Indiramma Colony, Wyra: Fifty individuals were rescued from rising floodwaters.

- Kaviraj Nagar: Two individuals were safely evacuated from flood-affected areas.

Other Districts

- Mahabubabad District: Rescue teams evacuated 100 people from Seetharam Thanda and nine from Bichurajpalli village.

- Suryapet District: Rescues were conducted at various locations, including the retrieval of 160+ residents and 300 Gurukul students in Kodad Cheruvu.

Major Operations in Khammam

Khammam district saw some of the most extensive rescue operations. Over 761 individuals were rescued by the Boat Crew of Khammam, who were deployed in flood-hit areas, including:

- Karnagiri, Khammam: 150 people were rescued.

- Moti Nagar, Maruti Nagar & FCI Godown Area: 100 individuals were evacuated.

- Venkateshwara Nagar: 200 people were safely relocated.

Deployment of Resources

The rescue operations were overseen by the Director, Additional Director, Regional Fire Officer, and District Fire Officers from Nalgonda and Khammam. A total of 11 boats and 100 crew members, including officers from Hyderabad, Nalgonda, Nagarkurnool, Sangareddy, and Hanamkonda, were actively involved in the Khammam operations.

The department continues to monitor the situation and remains on high alert for any further rescue and relief operations.