Hyderabad: The sudden thunderstorms and rains affected life in various parts of the city. Areas like Begumpet, Banjara Hills, Secunderabad, Punjagutta, Nims, Trimulgherry, Ranigunj and many other places also witnessed traffic snarls due to water logging. Several areas were inundated, giving motorists a tough time. Some vehicles were even seen falling into open manholes and few motorists fell off from their bikes as well. Traffic at Karkhana Trimulgherry area was affected by a heavy tree that was uprooted. Also at Lumbini Park, Tirumulgherry and Raj Bhavan Road, MMTS, the heavy rains and strong winds resulted in several trees being uprooted.
Causing further trouble to motorists were traffic gridlocks from Khairatabad Junction to Raj Bhavan Road, Monappa Junction to Somajiguda road on both sides, as a welcome arch collapsed at MMTS Raj Bhavan Road. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and traffic cops immediately removed the steel welcome arch. Traffic was slow from Tilaknagar towards Amberpet Road number-6 due to uprooted trees near Amberpet around 4 pm. The city also witnessed heavy traffic jams from 3pm till 7pm on Thursday. Many office-goers opted to hire cabs and taxis instead of their two-wheelers after observing many incidents of trees and electric poles falling in several parts of Hyderabad city.
Areas like Tankbund towards Balamrai, Model House, Malakpet Gunj, Alugadda Bavi, Bible House, Medicity Hospital, Telugu Talli Flyover, Amberpet, Tilaknagar, RP Road, Golnaka Bridge experienced water logging at several points. Several trees were uprooted and electric poles fell down in areas like Gruhakalpa, AC Guards SBI, NTR Ghat, Kundan Bagh, Musheerabad, Risala gadda, Erramanzil, Ravindra Bharathi School, Hari Hara Kala Kshetram etc.
City residents posted complaints and pictures of traffic jams, uprooted trees and fallen electric poles. One of the city residents Viswajith tweeted, “One hour of rain and wind havoc in Hyderabad and trees uprooted everywhere, power supply damaged, no Wi-Fi, what to do? All roads are blocked by rain water and uprooted trees. My power bank is also not charged.” Mr Anil Kumar, additional commissioner traffic, Hyderabad Traffic police said, “Lots of trees were uprooted at different places and there were instances of water logging also. The trees were removed with the help of the GHMC.”
