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The city of Hyderabad has been grappling with heavy rainfall over the past few days, leading to widespread disruptions and challenges for its residents. The downpour, which began as a light drizzle on Saturday morning, intensified throughout the day, resulting in severe waterlogging and massive traffic jams across the city. The impact of the rainfall has been particularly severe in several areas, including Hayathnagar, Uppal, Quthbullapur, Musheerabad, Moosapet, Begumpet, and Gachibowli, where knee-deep flooding has been reported.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that heavy rains are expected to continue in various parts of Hyderabad for the next two to three days, raising concerns about the potential for further disruptions and flooding. Weather expert T Balaji has warned of additional heavy rains in the coming days, stating that multiple storms are moving in from the surrounding areas of Sangareddy, Medak, and Kamareddy.
The heavy rainfall has had a significant impact on train services in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. On Sunday, officials reported widespread stoppages, cancellations, and diversions of several trains due to flooding on the railway tracks. As many as 24 trains were halted on the Vijayawada-Kazipet route due to overflowing lakes and streams. The South Central Railway (SCR) cancelled 30 trains within the Vijayawada division due to the flooding.
The floodwater has caused significant damage to the railway track in Mahabubabad district of Telangana, particularly near Ayodhya village, where a tank breach led to severe inundation. The flooding has also damaged the railway track between Kesamudram and Intikanne, washing away the concrete beneath the tracks. In Mahabubabad, water levels rose above the railway track, forcing authorities to halt Simhadri and Machilipatnam express trains at the Mahabubabad Railway Station.
Other express trains, including Gautami, Sanghamitra, Kanga-Kaveri, Charminar, and Yeshwantpur, were also stopped due to unsafe conditions. The Mahabubnagar-Visakhapatnam Express was stopped at Pandillapalli for four hours due to floodwaters covering the tracks. Several trains were subsequently cancelled, including Vijayawada-Secunderabad (12713), Secunderabad-Vijayawada (12714), and Guntur-Secunderabad (17201).
To manage the situation, many trains were diverted. The Visakhapatnam-Nanded route was adjusted, skipping all stops between Eluru and Secunderabad. Similarly, the Visakhapatnam-Tirupati train bypassed all stops between Vijayawada and Secunderabad. The South Central Railway issued a statement emphasizing the need for these measures to ensure passenger safety amid the heavy rainfall.
To assist passengers with updated train information, SCR has established additional helpline numbers at key railway stations. Passengers can contact the following helpline numbers: Hyderabad (27781500), Secunderabad (27786140, 27786170), Kazipet (27782660, 8702576430), Warangal (27782751), Khammam (27782985, 08742-224541, 7815955306), Vijayawada (7569305697), Rajahmundry (08832420541), Tenali (08644-227600), Tuni (7815909479), Nellore (7815909469), Gudur (08624-250795), Ongole (7815909489), Gudivada (7815909462), Bhimavaram Town (7815909402).