Andhra Pradesh Highlights (last 24 hours)
The deep depression that crossed the Andhra coast near Kalingapatnam has weakened but continues to bring heavy rain to north coastal districts. Orange alerts remain in force for 16 districts. Flash-flood warnings cover river catchment areas. Officials advised continued caution for the next two to three days. Road damage assessment and relief operations are ongoing.
YSRCP chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy sought an amendment to the Chief Election Commissioner appointment law, demanding restoration of the earlier collegium system. The call came amid the national SIR controversy. Party leaders linked it to broader institutional concerns. Statewide protests over the DSC recruitment issue continued in parallel. Political confrontation with the ruling coalition stayed sharp.
IT Minister Nara Lokesh confirmed the mandate that data centres must source at least 70 per cent of energy from renewable sources. Water requirements are to be met sustainably through Polavaram and desalination. The Visakhapatnam cluster remains a priority. Project grounding is being accelerated. Community engagement on environmental impact continues.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s plan to turn Rayalaseema into a global fruit and horticulture hub across 10 districts and 201 clusters with nearly ₹1 lakh crore investment remained in focus. Preparatory work on clusters is under way. Public and private participation is being mobilised. The initiative aims at large-scale production and export growth.
The Centre permitted sale of excess Flue-Cured Virginia tobacco from the 2025-26 crop at authorised auction platforms. Both registered and unregistered growers can participate. The decision followed a review of market conditions. Growers in traditional belts welcomed the move. Auction arrangements are being finalised.
A private bus travelling from Kothagudem in Telangana to Palasa caught fire in Srikakulam district. All seven passengers escaped unhurt after an onlooker alerted the driver. Police registered a case and began investigation. The incident added to traffic and safety concerns on the route. Local authorities reviewed emergency response.
Brain-dead intermediate student Sai Srinadh’s organs were donated under Telangana’s Jeevandan programme, giving a new lease of life to six patients. The family from Andhra Pradesh took the decision. Medical teams coordinated the multi-organ retrieval. The case highlighted inter-state cooperation in organ transplantation. Public awareness messages accompanied the news.
Traffic and immersion-related arrangements for the concluding phase of Ganesh festivities remained in place in several districts. Police and civic agencies managed processions. Isolated incidents of congestion were reported. Overall the festival period passed without major disruption in most areas. Clean-up operations have begun.
Officials continued monitoring reservoir inflows and road restoration after the recent heavy rain spell. Srikakulam remained the worst-affected district for road damage. NDRF and SDRF teams stayed deployed in vulnerable pockets. Farmers assessed crop losses. The administration prioritised relief distribution.
Political activity centred on the dual tracks of the DSC recruitment protests and the national election-commission controversy. YSRCP cadres sustained pressure on Education Minister Nara Lokesh. The ruling side maintained that procedures were followed. Local body and organisational work continued alongside the agitation.
Telangana Highlights (last 24 hours)
Ganesh idol immersions remained largely peaceful, with nearly 88,000 idols immersed by Friday morning and the process expected to conclude on Saturday. DGP C.V. Anand confirmed smooth conduct. Traffic restrictions continued on major Hyderabad routes. Police and civic agencies managed 114 immersion points. Clean-up and crowd dispersal are under way.
Primary school teachers across the state protested against GO Ms No. 25 on rationalisation, demanding amendments and appointment of Vidya Volunteers in high-enrolment schools. Demonstrations highlighted staffing and workload concerns. Education department officials held discussions. Teacher associations kept up pressure. The issue remains unresolved.
Heavy to very heavy rain continued in northern Telangana, with Mancherial recording the highest totals. Hyderabad saw light to moderate spells. Orange and yellow alerts covered multiple districts. Flash-flood risks persisted in low-lying areas. Reservoir levels and urban drainage systems were under watch.
The BJP finalised a five-member organisational command structure for Telangana, with new appointments for general secretary and joint general secretary roles covering Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Existing political in-charges were retained. The changes aim at strengthening grassroots networks. Party workers began orientation for the new set-up.
Eight persons were arrested after two groups clashed inside the Kothagudem Three Town police station premises over a family dispute. The accused allegedly assaulted each other and obstructed police. All were remanded to judicial custody. Local tension was quickly contained. An investigation into the incident is under way.
BJP and CPI(M) leaders alleged irregularities in the selection of beneficiaries for 214 double-bedroom houses in Kothagudem. They demanded a transparent review of the list. Local officials stated that norms were followed. Political parties kept the issue alive. Beneficiaries awaited final allotment clarity.
Hyderabad-based Blue Cloud Softech’s US subsidiary secured a statement of work from IBM Cloud for AI infrastructure design, deployment and support. The contract reinforces the city’s growing role in digital and AI services. State IT policies were cited as enabling factors. Industry bodies welcomed the win. Skill and infrastructure support continues.
Traffic restrictions remained in force on major Ganesh immersion routes in Hyderabad on Saturday. Police advised commuters to use alternative paths. Immersion points operated under CCTV and drone surveillance. The final phase of processions is being closely monitored. Civic agencies prepared for post-festival clearance.
The state government urged the Centre to expand permissible works under MGNREGS to support rural livelihoods affected by the El Niño-induced rainfall deficit. Officials highlighted the need for additional employment avenues. Agricultural distress in several districts remains a concern. Coordination with central agencies is ongoing.
Political exchanges continued over water-sharing issues with Andhra Pradesh and internal governance questions. Opposition leaders kept pressure on the Congress administration. The ruling side pointed to welfare delivery and infrastructure projects. Public debate on finances and farmer support stayed active.
