A tense search operation is underway in Telangana’s Nirmal district after a man, identified as Thippireddy Gangadhar from Kannapur village in Kadem mandal, was swept away in the heavy floodwaters of the Kadem project. The incident occurred on Saturday, August 16, when the project’s gates were opened following continuous heavy rainfall, unleashing a powerful current. A dramatic video circulating on social media showed Gangadhar stranded in the gushing waters as rescue teams made desperate attempts to reach him.
The National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF), along with local authorities, immediately launched a large-scale rescue mission. Nirmal Superintendent of Police G. Janaki Sharmila confirmed that despite deploying drones and ground forces, the missing man has not yet been traced. A missing person case has been registered, and efforts continue along the downstream stretches of the river, where the current may have carried him. The incident has sparked concern across the region, with locals praying for his safe return while also questioning safety measures during such releases.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Hyderabad has forecast extremely heavy rainfall across Telangana on Sunday, August 17, raising further alarm for residents in flood-prone areas. Hyderabad itself is expected to witness spells of rain and thunderstorms. Authorities have urged people to stay alert and avoid venturing near water bodies as inflows into reservoirs continue to increase. The tragic incident has underscored the growing challenges of balancing dam safety and human risk amid relentless monsoon rains in the state.
