Hyderabad weather: Heavy rain brings city to standstill, officials on high alert

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The heavy downpour lashed Hyderabad on Thursday, bringing traffic to a standstill and causing widespread waterlogging across the city. Several low-lying areas were inundated, leaving many roads submerged and commuters stranded. The authorities concerned have issued an alert.

According to Zee News, as the heavy rains triggered a flood-like situation in parts of the city, the information technology corridor witnessed a traffic gridlock. Several areas in central Hyderabad, Secunderabad, IT corridors, and the outskirts were flooded as about 10 cm of rainfall was recorded in just one hour.

At a few places, two-wheelers were washed away, while water entered houses in a few colonies. According to the report, techies returning home from offices in Madhapur and Gachibowli were caught in a traffic jam. Many complained of being caught in a jam for four to five hours.

Given waterlogging at Malkam Cheruvu, police advised commuters to avoid the Bio Diversity to Shaikpet route and take the alternative route from IKEA, Cable Bridge, the report added.

HYDRAA Commissioner A. V. Ranganath and other officials were inspecting the waterlogging point. Cyberabad and Hyderabad police officials were on the roads late on Thursday night to manage the situation.

Chief Minister (CM) A. Revanth Reddy, who was in Delhi, alerted officials in view of the heavy rains and the forecast for more rain. The CM directed that disaster management teams be kept on standby and ready to respond immediately to any emergencies.

Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao conducted a teleconference with top officials from the Police Command Control Room to review the situation. He directed officials to take stringent preventive measures to avoid any loss of life or property, the report added.

As per the report, some areas in the city recorded up to 12 cm of rainfall. The CS instructed authorities to focus on traffic management and waterlogging points, particularly in IT corridors.

He emphasised that GHMC should act swiftly to avoid public inconvenience and urged citizens not to step out unless necessary. Meanwhile, a gate of the Himayat Sagar reservoir was opened on Thursday night as the huge inflows led to a rise in the water level.

According to Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) officials, due to continuous rainfall in the upstream areas over the past few days, the water level rose in Himayat Sagar and Osman Sagar reservoirs across the Musi River, the report added. Authorities sounded an alert in areas along the Musi River.