Heavy downpour across Hyderabad disrupts normal life

Persistent and heavy downpour across Hyderabad throughout Monday disrupted normal life and forced people to avoid venturing outdoors. Intense spells of showers that were widespread in Hyderabad and suburban areas began in the wee hours of Monday and continued through the day, bringing low-lying areas under sheets of water.

The intensity of the rains under the influence of cyclone Gulab was such that within hours, areas falling under Rajendranagar received 101.8 mm (10 cm) of rainfall followed by Ramachandrapuram that received 75.5 (7.5 cm) of rainfall. The Southern part of the city, especially areas under Charminar received a maximum rainfall of 75.3 mm (7.5 cm) while regions under Kapra including Sainikpuri received 74.5 (7.4 cm) of rainfall.

Major roads in Hyderabad were flooded, forcing motorists to wade through knee-deep water with extreme caution. The extensive waterlogging also triggered traffic gridlocks at several stretches in the city. A large number of low-lying areas in the city were facing flood-like situations, as Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) workers and personnel from police and



traffic, did their best to provide relief and ensure there are no water logging points.

The personnel from traffic police were seen clearing the water-logging at many places including Bahadurpura, Chilkalguda, Ranigunj and Sultan Bazar. With heavy rains remaining active the entire day on Monday, the deluge was so intense that even relief workers struggled.

According to IMD forecast, the cyclonic activities in the Bay of Bengal have less intensified due to which depression has formed over Telangana and adjoining areas. Director, IMD, Hyderabad, Dr K Nagaratna said, “Telangana districts are likely to witness heavy to very heavy rains, while few districts might experience extremely heavy rains on. The rainfall will be accompanied by gusty winds of 30-40 kmph, sometimes even 45 kmph. 

Hyderabad is likely to witness heavy to very heavy rain fall accompanied with thunder and lightning, for which we have issued an orange warning. There can be spells of extremely heavy rainfall in the city as well. The depression is likely to weaken in the next 24 hours.”