Heavy rains lash Andhra Pradesh, Telangana; eight dead in Medak

Sangareddy: At least eight people have so far lost their lives in rain-related incidents in Telangana's Medak district, with the army being deployed in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts for rescue operations, even as heavy showers continue to lash parts of the state on Sunday.

Heavy rains resulted in water logging and massive traffic jams in several areas in Hyderabad with water level continued to rise in the Godavari following continuous downpours in upper catchment areas. The rain water today entered the city's Holy Trinity Church premises forcing the visitors to vacate the place.

A 30-year-old native of Jakkapally village in Narsapur mandal of Medak, was last night going on his bike to his workplace. However, while trying to cross a low-level causeway, near Reddy Khanapur village under Hathnoora police station limits, which was overflowing due to heavy inflow of water in Paspaleru lake, he got swept away along with his bike, police said.

Hathnoora Police Sub-Inspector Balreddy said a search operation was initiated soon after getting information but the body was yet to be retrieved.

Three deaths were reported on Saturday from Medak, even as the Army was deployed in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts for rescue operations. The state government has approached Indian Air Force to rescue 21 civilians stranded in Medak district.

"Three Chetak helicopters of the Indian Air Force have been assigned the task to rescue the stranded people. Two rescue attempts were made, but unfortunately aborted due to heavy rains in the area," a release said.

The weatherman has predicted heavy to very heavy rains in isolated places of the state. Some of the low-lying areas in Hyderabad are still cut off from the rest of the city.

Besides, four persons were killed and six others injured in separate rain-related mishaps in Medak on Friday.

With heavy rains throwing normal life out of gear in Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao had earlier ordered officials to set up control rooms in all the districts to reach out to the marooned people with necessary relief.

Following instructions from the CM, a National Response Force (NDRF) team has been kept on standby in Hyderabad to participate in rescue operations, if necessary.

Besides, four columns of Army had been earlier deployed in rain-affected areas of Hyderabad and neighbouring Ranga Reddy district.