Hyderabad: Hyderabad endured a wet and tumultuous weekend as heavy rains lashed the city, leaving roads deserted and causing significant disruptions across multiple sectors. Commuters faced treacherous conditions, with several areas in the city, particularly the stretch along Amberpet to Uppal being the worst hit.
Vendors across the city, from jasmine flower sellers to pani puri vendors, felt the pinch as business slowed to a crawl amidst the downpour. Even construction sites, notably the Amberpet bridge project, were left waterlogged, further delaying progress.
The rainfall, which began early on Saturday, continued unabated through Sunday, creating havoc on the already-strained road network in the city.
Incidents of waterlogging and tree falls were reported from various parts of the city, even as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an ‘orange’ alert. Moderate to heavy rains are expected to continue across many parts of the city for another day.
Major roads, including those near the University of Hyderabad in Serilingampally and the ESS HMT Hills in Kukatpally, recorded some of the highest rainfall in the city, reaching up to 46.8 mm by the evening, according to the Telangana State Development and Planning Society (TGDPS).
Two days of incessant rainfall forced officials to open sluice gates of the Hussainsagar lake to release excess water. The water was channelled through lower-lying areas such as Lower Tank Bund, ACTC, Gandhi Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Chikkadpally, and parts of Himayat Nagar.
Though the water flow was intense, particularly near the Ashok Nagar bridge, where the recently constructed retaining wall prevented flooding in Domalguda.
Public transport was severely impacted, with several cab bookings being cancelled due to the weather. “It was impossible to find a ride today. I had to cancel three times before finally finding a bike taxi,” shared B. Surender, a commuter. The bike taxi rider, Raju Madali, who braved the weather to fulfil his trips, said, “The roads were terrible, and I was drenched. Many of my colleagues decided not to work today because it just wasn’t safe.”
Heavy traffic jams were reported at several bottlenecks in the city, particularly in Uppal, where a combination of waterlogging and ongoing construction work slowed traffic to a crawl. “I had plans for a Sunday outing, but we were stuck in traffic for hours because of the rain,” said Vaishnavi E, a resident who was caught in the gridlock.
Vendors, particularly those relying on pedestrians, were severely affected. “I usually sell around 25-30 'mooralu' flowers by noon, but today I hardly sold three,” lamented Parvathi Oggu, a jasmine flower vendor near Gokhale Nagar in Ramanthapur. Similarly, Ramesh Babu, a pani puri vendor in Boduppal, said, “People didn’t come out because of the rain. My entire day’s earnings are lost. To add to that, the additional pains I have to take, to keep my cart from not getting wet."
Vegetable vendors also struggled as the rain kept customers away. “My regular customers didn’t turn up, one told me that they preferred an instant delivery app for the day. All of my produce is perishable, and I can’t afford to keep it for long,” said Kishore D, a vendor near Gajularamaram.
The downpour led to power outages in several areas, further adding to the misery. “We were without power for most of the morning. It was impossible to cook or even stay at home comfortably. All of us rushed to charge everything including power banks, filter water, use the cooker and geyser, etc., the minute power came,” said Swathi Podi, a resident of Habsiguda who made quick purchases from a local supermarket before the rain would get worse again. Power lines were reportedly damaged due to falling trees in multiple locations, causing extended blackouts.
The situation was particularly difficult for those commuting near construction zones. The Amberpet Bridge, a critical artery, was submerged under rainwater, causing massive delays and forcing commuters to seek alternative routes. “It took me over an hour just to cross the bridge area. The roads were completely waterlogged, and navigating through the traffic was a nightmare,” said Damodar Bandu, who had set out to fetch lunch for the day and was stuck for several minutes. Commuters had to tread carefully, navigating potholes and uneven surfaces that were masked by the water.
In other parts of the city, roads were left in deplorable conditions, especially around Uppal, where traffic jams got worse by ongoing construction and heavy downpours.
By 3 pm, as the intensity of the rain subsided, people began to venture out cautiously, but the city’s streets still bore the signs of the earlier deluge. Puddles of water, scattered debris, and the occasional fallen tree branch were common sights, with municipal workers struggling to restore normalcy.
