Heavy rain lashes Telangana, IMD warns of more downpour in Hyderabad, other districts

The usually traffic-jammed roads of Hyderabad's IT hubs, such as HiTeC City and Financial District, wore a deserted look on Wednesday as techies logged into worked from home (WFH) mode due to heavy rainfall alerts. (Photo: X/@Gachibowlitrafficpolice)

Heavy rains lashed several districts across Telangana on Wednesday, causing streams and lakes to overflow, cutting off roads, and filling reservoirs to their limits. The downpour, ranging from moderate to extreme in intensity, flooded low-lying areas and brought daily life to a halt in several districts, The Times of India reported.

According to the Telangana Development Planning Society (TGDPS), Beemini in Mancherial district recorded a staggering 238 mm of rainfall in just 24 hours between 8.30 am on August 12 and 8.30 am on August 13, the highest in the state. Tandur in the same district followed with 174.6 mm. During the day, Mamidipalli in Ranga Reddy district saw 87 mm of rain by 5 pm, while the Mankhal industrial development area recorded 80 mm.

In Hyderabad, rain fell steadily across core areas and nearby parts of Rangareddy district. While most parts of the city recorded moderate rainfall between 20 mm and 40 mm, the outskirts of Rangareddy reported much higher figures, ranging from 70 mm to 93 mm by Wednesday night, according to a report by Deccan Chronicle.

The usually traffic-jammed roads of Hyderabad's IT hubs, such as HiTeC City and Financial District, wore a deserted look on Wednesday as techies logged into worked from home (WFH) mode due to heavy rainfall alerts.

More rain expected

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more rainfall for the next four days. In response, the state administration has been placed on high alert, with irrigation officials instructed to closely monitor water levels in reservoirs, canals, and tanks, The Hindu reported.

Three districts under red alert

According to the IMD’s latest bulletin, a red alert was issued for Medak, Sangareddy and Vikarabad districts. An orange alert, indicating heavy to very heavy rainfall, has been issued for Bhadradri Kothagudem, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Kamareddy, Mahabubabad, Medchal Malkajgiri, Mulugu, Nirmal, Nizamabad and Suryapet districts on Thursday.

Yellow alert in Hyderabad

A yellow alert, warning of heavy rainfall, has been issued for Hyderabad, Adilabad, Hanumakonda, Jagtial, Jangaon, Jogulamba Gadwal, Karimnagar, Khammam, Kumaram Bheem Asifabad, Mahabubnagar, Mancherial, Nagarkurnool, Nalgonda, Narayanpet, Peddapalli, Rajanna Sircilla, Rangareddy, Siddipet, Wanaparthy, Warangal and Yadadri Bhongir districts.

Amid the rain’s destruction, some communities have shown remarkable spirit. In Karimnagar’s Ganneruvaram mandal, a wedding went ahead despite the main road being cut off by an overflowing culvert. The bride’s family waded through knee-deep water, carrying the groom, Komuramalu, into the village so the ceremony could take place.

In Siddipet’s Bahthulavanipally, linemen from the Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) braved the swollen Nagasamudrala lake to repair a snapped power line, restoring electricity to hundreds of homes, TOI reported.

Schools closed as precaution

Given the IMD’s forecast of intense rain, the Telangana government announced a holiday for all schools, government and private, in Warangal, Hanumakonda, Jangaon, Mahabubabad, and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri districts on August 14. Hyderabad schools were given a half-day on Wednesday, with the same arrangement continuing on Thursday, acccording to a report by Mint.

Two lives lost

In Sakarasi Kasikunta village, an 80-year-old woman, Pasunoori Buchamma, drowned in her sleep after floodwaters entered her home. Police in Mills Colony have registered a case and begun an investigation.

In Warangal district’s Narayanapuram village, 70-year-old cattle herder Kandikatla Uppalaiah was swept away by the powerful current of the overflowing Akeru Wagu stream while trying to save his buffaloes. Police later recovered his body, DC reported.