Heavy rains bring relief to Hyderabad but leave city waterlogged and gridlocked

Providing much-needed relief from the prolonged heat, heavy rains swept across parts of Hyderabad on Thursday afternoon. Several areas experienced thunderstorms, with some even witnessing hailstorms.

Heavy rains drenched parts of Hyderabad on Thursday, catching residents off guard. While the downpour offered much-needed relief from the scorching heat, it also threw the city into chaos. Severe waterlogging in several areas brought traffic to a standstill, leaving commuters stranded for hours.

The heavy rains caused severe waterlogging in several areas, including Malakpet, Mozamjahi Market, Mehdipatnam, Dilsukhnagar, Somajiguda, Punjagutta, Shaikpet, SR Nagar, Begumpet, Chilkalguda, and parts of Secunderabad, leading to massive traffic congestion.

Strong winds accompanying the downpour uprooted trees at Irrum Manzil and Raj Bhavan Road, further disrupting movement. Traffic police from Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Rachakonda, along with personnel from the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRAA), worked to clear waterlogged streets and remove fallen trees to restore traffic flow.

According to data from the Telangana Development Planning Society (TGDPS) as of 6 p.m., Secunderabad recorded the highest rainfall at 88.5 mm, followed by 87.8 mm in Saroor Nagar, 87.3 mm in Malakpet, and 84.5 mm in Musheerabad. Other areas also saw significant rainfall, with Goshamahal receiving 84 mm, Yakutpura (81.3 mm), Chandrayangutta (80 mm), Jubilee Hills (78 mm), Kukatpally (75.3 mm), Mettuguda (73.5 mm), and LB Nagar (72.5 mm). Amberpet, Alwal, Khairatabad, and Begumpet recorded 70.8 mm, 69.5 mm, 68.8 mm, and 60 mm, respectively.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for 20 districts in Telangana on Friday, April 4.

According to an updated IMD bulletin, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are likely to affect Adilabad, Kumaram Bheem Asifabad, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Warangal, Hanamkonda, Siddipet, Yadadri Bhongir, Rangareddy, Hyderabad, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Vikarabad, Jangaon, Mahabubnagar, Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthy, Narayanpet, and Jogulamba Gadwal.