Part of Chowmahalla palace collapses after rainfall in Hyderabad

The balcony roof of historical Chowmahalla palace in Hyderabad has been collapsed after heavy rainfall on Saturday evening. The part is one among the three balcony roofs on the front of the palace fell on the ground. Chunks of lime plaster, wood and mortar fell on the Motigali street. No casualties have been reported.

It is learned that the balcony was due for restoration. However, the works were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After the balcony roof caved in, the architectural officials said that emergency restoration works will be taken up to prevent further damage and the full-scale restoration works will be initiated post-monsoon.

The 200-year-old Chowmahalla palace has four main palaces and was once spread over 51 acres with two courtyards but now remained with 12 acres of land. It is said that the palace resembles Shah palace of Tehran in Iran. The palace is a seat of Hyderabad's Azaf Jahi dynasty.

It may be recalled that in May 2019, a chunk of one of the four minarets of Charminar collapsed due to the downpour and a part of the Golconda fort fell down in September due to the rainfall.