Heavy rain predicted for next 2 days

Hyderabad: Heavy rainfall along with thunderstorm in Greater Hyderabad on Monday evening led to flood-like situation in many places, choking traffic, power failure across the city and inundating many low-lying areas.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department, the sudden downpour was on account of the trough that is extending from East Bihar up to Coastal Karnataka across Odisha and Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh. The Director (in-charge) IMD Y K Reddy said that the city is likely to witness heavy rain for next two days.

Three persons died in different incidents. Two persons died when a hut they were living in a slum at Road No 10 in Banjara Hills caved in. The local people who rushed to the spot rescued two others and the injured were sent to NIMs hospital. While a 35-year-old person died near Murgi Chowk under Hussaini Alam police station limits due to electric shock.

The deceased was identified as Afsar and he died when a livewire fell on the autotrolly that carries chicken he was driving. People were caught unawares by the sudden downpour as the weather which was normal till 4 pm suddenly changed and dark clouds engulfed the sky.

The rain first started pouring in Old City first and spread to the entire city. Lightning was witnessed in several parts, including over the Hi-Tec city building in Madhapur.

Utter confusion prevailed among parents as a few schools reopen on Tuesday after Dasara vacation. A few other schools will reopen on October 5. “It is difficult to send my child to school in view of flooded streets,” said Shilpa whose daughter studies in third standard in Marredpally.

The city was battered with heavy rains for about four hours. What was surprising was that waterlogging was seen even on the flyover near Nagarjuna circle.

According to TSCPDCL powerlines at Asman Gadh, Charminar, Begum Bazar, Attapur, Rajendranagar and Ibrahimpatnam got snapped.

Similarly, the take-off points at Greenlands flyover near CM camp office was also under knee-deep water.
Due to the downpour, the city roads got flooded and the traffic came to grinding halt across the city. People going home from offices faced the worst problems due to waterlogging.

Some two-wheeler drivers slipped and suffered minor injuries. Cars were seen stranded in the midst of roads near Punjagutta, Lakdikapul and other parts of the city. While many auto rickshaw and cab drivers refused to take passengers due to traffic jams. Those who were willing were quoting very high rates.

The booking apps of the cabs displayed surging prices and some people even complained that their bookings got cancelled.

Traffic Jam was also witnessed from Afzalgunj towards MJ Market Road, Near Begum Bazar Old PS as there was about 3 feet water. The GHMC and police which swung into action directed the commuters to take alternate routes.
Low-lying areas were inundated as rainwater started gushing from nalas.

Several citizens returning from festival holidays by road were stranded at MGBS and LB Nagar. Helpline numbers 040-21111111 and 9704601866 given by GHMC turned irresponsive for some time.

Rainwater flooded the low-lying areas in Charminar, Yakutpura, Dabeerpura, Uppuguda, Santhosh Nagar, Chandrayangutta, Puranapul, Ziaguda, Mehdipatnam, Banjara Hills, Somajiguda, Yousufguda, Punjagutta, Khairatabad, Lakdikapul, Nampally, Koti, Malakpet, Dilsukhnagar, LB Nagar, Hayatnagar, Uppal, Tarnaka, Secunderabad, ECIL, Kukatpally, Bowenpally, Malkajgiri, Mehdipatnam, Nallakunta, Santosh Nagar, and Dilsukhnagar reported water-logging within minutes of the thunder-showers.

Waterlogging was so heavy that the steps at the entry point of Volga Hotel near Charminar, Bajaj Electricals in Malakpet, Mediciti hospital near Secretariat and shops in Himayathnagar Street No 19 and Street No 5, Malakpet got inundated.