Hyderabad: As Hyderabad settled into another cloudy day, commuters were unexpectedly greeted with heavy showers that caused chaos across the city.
Many residents returning from work were caught in the thick of the downpour, struggling to navigate waterlogged streets and facing significant delays. Begumpet, Secunderabad and Rajendranagar bore the brunt of the rainfall, with Rajendranagar receiving a substantial 35 mm of rain, the highest in the city, according to the Telangana Development Planning Society's data.
Across the state, Narayanpet witnessed an even heavier downpour, recording 47 mm of rain, while Nalgonda followed with 42.8 mm.
The sudden downpour rendered several roads impassable. Key stretches such as Abids, Koti, Sultan Bazar, Nampally, and Himayatnagar turned into water-logged lanes, forcing motorists and pedestrians to wade through knee-deep water. Commuters in Musheerabad, Khairatabad and Amberpet also reported significant traffic snarls as vehicles struggled to move on flooded streets. An electric motorcycle in Karwan caught fire after a live wire fell onto the puddle it was parked in. Power outages too were reported in several areas.
Secunderabad, particularly Bowenpally, Alwal and Begumpet, faced severe waterlogging, with some roads becoming inaccessible due to overflowing drains. The downpour also disrupted the normal rhythm of the city, with businesses in affected areas closing early to avoid the worst of the rain. Traffic was reported to be at a near standstill in LB nagar, Vanasthalipuram and Hayathnagar as rainwater collected on roads that had inadequate drainage facilities.
GHMC’s Disaster Response Force teams were deployed in several low-lying areas to monitor the situation and respond to any emergencies. Residents were advised to report any flooding or drainage issues via helplines set up by the authorities.
Adding to the woes, Metro Rail services at Raidurgam and Ameerpet stations were overcrowded as many opted for public transport to escape the rain. Both stations saw heavy footfall, with commuters expressing frustration over the lack of increased train frequency and poor crowd management. These stations, typically among the busiest in the city, struggled to cope with the sudden surge in passengers, further exacerbating the chaos brought on by the rains.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that rains will persist for the next few days, as a low-pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal, affecting Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts. This system, along with a surface circulation hovering eight km above sea level, is expected to cause moderate to heavy rainfall across Telangana, with gusty winds of up to 40 km/h predicted in certain regions.
The IMD has forecast that the current spell of rain is expected to last until at least September 9, with heavier rains likely in certain districts across the state.
It warned that heavy rainfall could affect Asifabad, Mancherial and Khammam districts in the coming days, with districts like Mulugu and Bhadradri Kothagudem also expected to experience downpours. An Orange alert has been issued for these regions.
Meanwhile, civic body officials urged residents to stay updated with weather advisories and accordingly exercise caution.
