Surprise Downpour Paralyzes Hyderabad, Commuters Take Shelter In Metro Stations

HYDERABAD: Heavy rains that struck the city at 4.35 p.m. on Friday evening caught commuters and residents off guard. The rain lasted until 6.30 pm, the peak hour in the city.

Pedestrians and two-wheeler riders were forced to seek refuge in any shelter that was available. Some decided to get drenched anyway and make it to their destinations in time.

Metro stations turned haven for many stranded commuters. The Raidurgam and Ameerpet Metro Rail stations witnessed an unprecedented influx of people seeking shelter as well as a hassle-free ride.

The lack of a timely, prior weather alert to such a situation, was observed many. None seemed prepared for the sudden onslaught of rain. Flyovers and even the smaller bylanes were clogged with vehicles. The situation only began to ease around 6 p.m. when the intensity of rain ebbed.

In several parts of the city, immediate inundation occurred due to overwhelmed drainage systems, especially around RTC crossroads, Musheerabad, Narayanguda, Amberpet, Ramnagar, Bansilalpet, Dilsukhnagar, Venkatagiri Colony, Masab Tank, Santoshnagar, Begumpet, Mehdipatnam and Nampally, among other important roads.