“When I first heard about the devastating floods in the Khammam and Vijayawada regions of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, I was shocked. I prayed to Goddess Durga, hoping the rising water levels of the Krishna and Godavari rivers wouldn’t lead to more destruction. For me, Kanaka Durga Ammavaru in Vijayawada is more than just a deity—she represents my deep connection to the region and the people. Whenever I visit, I see my mother in her. That’s the level of emotion and devotion I have towards these rivers and the people who live around them.

It was heartbreaking to witness the panic and chaos caused by the floods. News of Dr. Ashwini and her father, Nunawat Motilal, being swept away near the Akeruvagu stream in Khammam on their way to Hyderabad was devastating. The entire village of Gangaram Thanda, and the hopes of the people there, were shattered. Even though I was born in Rayalaseema, I grew up in Telangana, and I cast my first vote here. Telangana has always been my home, and I feel an immense responsibility to help its people, especially during times like these. That’s why I immediately decided to take action on the ground to assist those impacted by the floods.

Through Niharika Foundation, we started our relief efforts by first addressing the needs in Khammam. I met with affected people, assessed the situation, and quickly mobilized volunteers. We worked around the clock to deliver essentials like groceries and daily necessities to those who had lost everything.

Seeing the scale of destruction, we realized that many people’s lives had been completely uprooted—homes washed away, and livelihoods destroyed. Thousands of families were struggling to survive.

Even before I formally started Niharika Foundation, I had always been involved in social initiatives. And during the COVID-19 pandemic, when lakhs of families struggled to put food on the table, we provided home-cooked meals and essential groceries. The experiences of helping during the pandemic made me realize that we needed to streamline our efforts, which led to the creation of Niharika Foundation.

We saw a clear need for a structured approach to helping those in need, which is why the foundation’s primary focus became children’s education—particularly for those who lost a parent during COVID-19 or come from single-parent households. Beyond education, we also provide employment opportunities for people in poverty, helping them set up small businesses, buy sewing machines, and rebuild their lives.

Coming back to the current flood situation in Khammam, we initially thought of providing groceries to hundreds of affected families. However, when we arrived, we realized the situation was far worse than we imagined. Entire homes were destroyed, and people had lost everything they had worked for over the past 20-30 years. Livestock, sewing machines, pottery, and other livelihood essentials were gone. Many families were left without shelter, living on the streets. We conducted surveys of the affected homes, capturing videos and details of those who were in the worst condition. We are working to provide them with two months’ worth of groceries and resources to help them get back on their feet.

This isn’t the first time we’ve responded to a disaster. When floods hit Mulugu, we formed a team and went to the affected areas. We worked closely with Minister Seethakka garu, organizations like Best Runners USA, and the Netherlands Telugu Association. Even my social media followers came forward to help when I posted about the need for assistance. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has trusted and supported our cause. Every rupee counts, and we ensure no penny goes to waste. Our volunteers are committed to reaching out to those in need, no matter how difficult the circumstances.

While we can’t undo the damage or restore everything people have lost, every bit of support helps. Even a small contribution can make a difference. Thousands of families in Khammam and other flood-affected regions are in desperate need. We must think of them as our own and take action.

Life is unpredictable, and none of us know what’s coming next. While we’re here, it’s important to treat everyone as a fellow human being and help where we can. Even in such challenging situations, if we can bring a smile to someone’s face, we’ve made a difference. If your heart calls you to help the flood-affected families in Khammam, please reach out to us on WhatsApp at 9701821089. Your support can change lives.”

• Niharika Reddy, Social Worker & Founder of Niharika Foundation