Heavy Rains Batter Telangana as Cyclone Montha Triggers Flooding; Rescue Efforts Underway

Hyderabad, Oct 2025 : One person was washed away and another narrowly rescued as heavy rains triggered by the remnants of Cyclone Montha lashed several parts of Telangana on Wednesday. The cyclone, which weakened into a deep depression after crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast early in the morning, caused flash floods and widespread disruption across multiple districts, prompting the state administration to issue a high alert.

In Khammam district, tragedy struck when a DCM vehicle was swept away in floodwaters. The driver, who remains missing, was identified as having attempted to cross the Nimmavagu stream near Janaram bridge in Konijarla Mandal, despite warnings from locals. Eyewitnesses said villagers urged him not to enter the waterlogged area, but within minutes, the strong current engulfed the vehicle and carried it downstream. Rescue teams have launched a search operation to trace the missing man.

A similar incident occurred in Vikarabad district, where a man was swept away in the Kagna River near Veerishettypally in Tandur Mandal. The victim, identified as Narasimhlu of Aganur village, was dramatically saved by four youths who spotted him struggling against the current. Using a rope, they managed to pull him to safety after a tense few minutes. Locals praised their quick thinking and bravery, which prevented another possible tragedy.

In Nalgonda district, over 500 students of a government-run residential school were rescued from floodwaters after their building was surrounded by water overflowing from a nearby stream. The Tribal Welfare Boys’ Residential School in Kommapalli village of Devarakonda Mandal was inundated, leaving the frightened students trapped and crying for help. Police, local administration, and rescue personnel worked together to move the children to safety. All students were reported safe and shifted to a nearby shelter.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for six districts — Hanamkonda, Warangal, Mahabubabad, Jangaon, Siddipet, and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri — warning of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy held an emergency review meeting and directed the entire administration to stay on high alert. He instructed district officials to evacuate families from low-lying areas and set up relief camps to accommodate those displaced by flooding.

The Irrigation Department was told to closely monitor water levels at all major projects, reservoirs, and canals. Officials were advised to alert district collectors before releasing water from brimming reservoirs and to have sandbags ready near vulnerable embankments.

Officials briefed the Chief Minister that the impact of Cyclone Montha was particularly severe in Khammam, Warangal, and Nalgonda districts. With heavy rainfall also lashing Hyderabad, the CM directed the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and disaster management teams to be deployed across the city to assist residents in waterlogged and inundated localities.

He further instructed SDRF and NDRF teams to conduct rescue operations in coordination with district administrations, ensuring immediate response in areas facing heavy flooding.

The Chief Minister also reviewed the situation of public transport, ordering that traffic be halted on low-level bridges and causeways where water levels had risen dangerously. Police and revenue authorities were instructed to set up barricades near flooded crossings and monitor the situation round the clock.

Expressing concern over the possible damage to standing crops, especially paddy and cotton, Reddy asked agricultural and civil supply officials to take precautionary measures at procurement centres to prevent crop losses. “Special arrangements must be made to safeguard paddy and cotton stocks and to assist farmers affected by the rains,” he said.

Train services were also hit by the downpour. The Golconda Express and Konark Express were halted at Dornakal Junction in Mahabubabad district and Gundratimadugu station due to flooding on tracks, while Southern Railway diverted several other trains. The Chief Minister asked transport authorities to ensure that stranded passengers were provided food, water, and shelter until services resumed.

With the IMD warning of continued rainfall over the next 48 hours, the state government has urged citizens to avoid venturing into flooded areas, follow official advisories, and contact local authorities in case of emergencies.

As rescue operations continued late into the night, officials said that all departments — from police to revenue and irrigation — were working in close coordination to mitigate the impact of the heavy rains and ensure the safety of residents across Telangana.