Rain claims one life in Nehru Zoological Park

Hyderabad: A 60-year-old woman was killed when a huge branch of a tree fell on her in the Nehru Zoological Park due to heavy rains, accompanied with strong winds, on Saturday evening.

The deceased has been identified as Nikhath Sultana, a resident of Puppalaguda in Manikonda. She was sitting under the tree when the mishap occurred. The State Government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs.5 lakhs to the family of the deceased.

A other visitors were also injured due to falling of trees and their branches in the zoological park. They were given first aid by the zoo authorities.

Heavy rains, followed by strong winds, have created havoc in the city's Nehru Zoological Park today.

Strong winds uprooted about 50-60 trees of Neem, Tamarind, Babul, Cassia, Gulmohar and Peltophorum. Large branches have fallen off causing extensive damage to the power lines and visitor pathways.

Immediate measures were taken by the Zoo authorities to evacuate the visitors duly engaging all the battery vehicles, Safari buses and all vehicles of zoo. The Curator, Deputy Curator, Asst. Curators, and entire zoo staff took part in evacuating all the visitors safely outside the zoo under the personal supervision of Addl. PCCF Wildlife Munindra. The parking area is also extensively damaged.