Rain, immersion rush leaves Hyderabad roads in chaos

HYDERABAD: An hour-long heavy downpour that lashed Hyderabad on Wednesday evening, led to severe traffic snarls at multiple pockets leaving commuters stranded for hours.
Heavy traffic congestion was reported from areas like Punjagutta, Khairatabad, Lakadikapul, Ameerpet and Gachibowli among others as the rains clashed with evening peak office hours.
A steady stream of Ganesh idols queuing up around various immersion points added to the chaos on the streets. Areas around the Hussainsagar Lake were particularly affected with several arterial roads blocked off and traffic diverted.

“There was a complete traffic gridlock at Lakadikapul at 5.30pm owing to the many trucks coming in for immersions. A usual drive of 20 minutes to Begumpet took me 45 minutes with the traffic slowdown,” said Rajeev Kumar, a commuter.

Several people even took to twitter to alert others. “Our Hyderabad after little rains is in this situation. Think before you come out,” tweeted a user while another posted: “To reach Suchitra junction which is only 800 meters away, it took 20 minutes.”
Dr Khan MD tweeted, “When you are in Hyderabad and see that its raining, just don’t even think of stepping outside. If you are outside then rush back home. If not then you will regret in traffic”.

The Hyderabad traffic police issued several alerts about traffic congestion, waterlogging from Road Np 10, Road No 12 Banjara Hills, Punjagutta, Somajiguda, Greenlands etc.
Waterlogging was also reported from several areas like Attapur where locals had to wade through knee deep water accumulated under the PVNR expressway (pillar 1919) — an usual water stagnation point.
Meanwhile, the Golconda area recorded the highest rainfall of 95.3 mm while other areas like Rajendranagar, Shaikpet, Asifnagar too received between 55 mm and 72.8 mm of rains during the spell that lasted from 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm.
The heavy downpour later shifted to parts of north Hyderabad with Kapra, Alwal receiving up to 49 mm of rainfall.
According to India Meteorological Department officials a similar downpour is likely on September 28. A yellow alert has been issued for Rangareddy, Kamareddy, Sanagreddy, Vikarabad, Medak, Hyderabad, Medchal, Siddipet, Yadadri, Jangaon, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Hanmakonda, Warangal, Mahbubabad, Khammam.