Mahbubnagar: Close call for 30 students, school bus submerged in flooded underpass

Hyderabad: Thirty school children had a narrow escape after their school bus submerged in a water-logged railway bridge underpass at Appanepalle in Telangana's Mahabubnagar district on 8 July. The Mahabubnagar police's timely intervention saved the children.

"Locals and policemen immediately went to help the children. Thanks to this, nothing happened to the children. No casualties have been reported," Mahabubnagar SP Venkateshwarulu said. He added that the incident happened due to sudden flash floods that occurred while the bus was crossing a railway under-bridge.

"The locals informed us that the bus driver allegedly attempted to drive across the bridge even though the water was slowly rising. However, the water level suddenly increased and the bus got stuck," Mr. Venkateshwarulu said.

He confirmed that there is no flooding anymore and that the water has been cleared.

The school bus was on its way from Machanpally and Sugurgaddafi Thanda to Bhashyam Technology School in Mahabubnagar Town.

Heavy rains in TS districts

Heavy rains have been reported in various parts ̧of Telangana, including Mahabubnagar. Over the last two days, Mahabubnagar has received severe rainfall. The India Meteorological Department has forecast light to moderate rainfall or thunderstorms in most parts of Telangana till 12 July.

A Red alert has been issued for Adilabad, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Rajanna Sirsilla, and Siddipet districts for the next three days.

On Friday, Hyderabad city witnessed light to moderate rain or thundershowers and some intense spells. The IMD warned that heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at isolated places in some parts of the city from Saturday.