Rescue Operations Amidst Severe Floods in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana: Over 18,200 Evacuated

The Ministry of Home Affairs reported significant rescue efforts in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, involving the NDRF and Indian Air Force. Over 350 people were rescued and 18,200 evacuated. A central expert team is assessing and managing the situation. Local leaders highlight severe damage and ongoing relief measures.

The Additional Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Sanjeev Kumar Jindal, briefed the media on the severe flood situation and extensive rescue operations in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He detailed the operations by NDRF and Indian Air Force, which rescued more than 350 individuals and evacuated 15,000 people in Andhra Pradesh alone. In Telangana, 60 people were rescued and 3,200 evacuated.

"IAF units have been deployed in Telangana for rescue missions. NDRF teams have successfully rescued 350 individuals and evacuated approximately 15,000 in Andhra Pradesh; in Telangana, 68 individuals rescued and 3,200 evacuated. They have also provided pre-hospital care and assisted local authorities in distributing food and relief supplies," Jindal stated. He emphasized the accurate and timely forecasting by the IMD and CWC, which aided the rescue efforts.

Jindal highlighted the immediate action taken on the night of September 1, following heavy downpour, under the directives of the Union Home Minister. Central and state teams, including NDRF, IAF, and NDMA, were mobilized for on-ground assistance and assessments. The expert team, led by Jindal, is evaluating breaches in infrastructure, especially the significant breaches in Prakasam barrage and Budameru diversion canal, and overseeing repairs.

On September 5, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu addressed the unprecedented nature of the floods in Vijayawada, citing major crop damage affecting 200,000 farmers. Meanwhile, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy announced Rs 5 crore in immediate aid for the flood-affected districts and plans to request the central government to declare the floods a national calamity.

(With inputs from agencies.)