Telangana records spike in extreme weather events: 66 dead, 4,350 animals lost

From January to September, the report indicates that severe weather conditions—such as relentless rainstorms, thunderstorms, and flooding—resulted in 66 human fatalities and 4,350 animal deaths across the state, along with extensive damage to crops and infrastructure.

Hyderabad: Extreme weather events surged in Telangana this year, with severe toll on both human life and livestock, according to the latest Climate India 2024 report by Down to Earth.

Between January and September, according to the report, the state recorded 66 human deaths and 4,350 animal deaths from intense weather conditions, including unrelenting rainstorms, thunderstorms, and flooding that also ravaged crops and infrastructure.

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The report, titled ‘An Assessment of Extreme Weather Events January to September’, draws on data from the India Meteorological Department and the Disaster Management Division under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

It notes that Telangana endured extreme weather on 50 days — nearly one-fifth of the assessment period — with impacts reverberating across communities and agriculture. In August alone, more than 32,000 hectares of cropland were devastated, while nearly 73,500 hectares suffered losses in total throughout the nine months. Unlike other regions, Telangana reported no significant house damages despite intense storms.

In 2023, Telangana had 52 days with extreme weather events, slightly higher than the 50 days recorded this year. Across the broader South Peninsula, including states like Telangana, Karnataka, and Kerala, there were 168 days with extreme weather events this year, damaging over 4,25,000 hectares of agricultural land. Kerala faced the brunt, with 113 days of extreme conditions — the highest in the region.

India as a whole faced extreme weather on 255 of the 274 days analyzed, with hard-hit states like Madhya Pradesh, Assam, and Kerala surpassing 100 days each of severe climate disruptions.