Intense monsoon rains and floods in India’s southern states have killed at least 25 people, with thousands rescued and taken to relief camps, officials say.
At least 16 people have been killed in Telangana state, and nine in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh in the past two days.
According to local media reports, the Telangana government has also urged India’s federal government to declare the floods a “national calamity”.
“The [Telangana] government will submit a comprehensive report on the flood damage to the Centre.
We will write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to visit the flood-affected areas in the state and also urging the Centre to declare the floods in Telangana as a national calamity,” a statement released by the government said.
So far, around 3,800 people have been rescued in Telangana and moved to relief camps.
On Monday, the Indian Air Force also said it had flown in more than 200 rescue officers and 30 tonnes of emergency aid to both states.
Last week, at least 28 people were killed over three days in the western state of Gujarat. Officials said schools in parts of Kutch district were shut as heavy rain lashed the region.
Last month, in the northeastern state of Tripura, floods and landslides killed more than 20 people.
Neighbouring Bangladesh, downriver from India, also experienced deadly floods that killed at least 40 people in August, with nearly 300,000 residents taking refuge in emergency shelters.
Neighbouring Bangladesh, downriver from India, also experienced deadly floods that killed at least 40 people in August, with nearly 300,000 residents taking refuge in emergency shelters.
