Heavy rainfall has caused widespread devastation across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, resulting in at least 19 deaths and the evacuation of over 17,000 people. The relentless downpour, fueled by a low-pressure system, has led to severe flooding, road closures, and significant disruptions to transportation.

The South Central Railway (SCR) has been particularly affected, with 140 trains canceled and 97 diverted, leaving nearly 6,000 passengers stranded at various stations. The floods have also impacted infrastructure, with roads submerged or damaged and a bridge near the Andhra-Telangana border destroyed, disrupting traffic on the national highway connecting the two states.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been in touch with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, offering assurances of central government support as more rain is expected in the coming days. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also engaged with the state leaders, pledging assistance for the ongoing crisis.

In Andhra Pradesh, nine people have died, with three more feared missing in the floodwaters. Telangana has reported 10 fatalities, and one person remains unaccounted for. The floods have severely affected Vijayawada, where over 2.76 lakh people have been impacted. The evacuation efforts are ongoing, with 17,000 individuals having already been moved to safer locations.

Hyderabad has not been spared from the heavy rains, which have caused waterlogging throughout the city. Due to the forecast of continued rainfall, a holiday has been declared for all schools on September 2 to ensure the safety of students and staff.

Rescue operations are in full swing, with 26 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams deployed across the two states. These teams, equipped with inflatable boats, pole and tree cutters, and medical supplies, are working to assist those affected by the floods. While 12 teams are already on the ground, an additional 14 are being airlifted to support the relief efforts.

Local reports from Khammam, one of the worst-hit areas, have highlighted a shortage of government assistance for stranded individuals. Many residents have been left isolated in various buildings, further complicating the rescue operations.

The meteorological department has forecast thunderstorms with lightning for parts of Andhra Pradesh from September 2 to 5, with similar warnings for Telangana. Rivers in both states, including the Budameru Vagu river, known for its severe flooding in Vijayawada, are currently overflowing, prompting the continued movement of residents to relief camps.