Sudden rainstorm brings Hyderabad to a halt

Hyderabad: A sudden burst of monsoon rain threw Hyderabad into chaos on Monday afternoon, flooding streets, submerging low-lying areas, and choking traffic across the city. The Telangana Development Planning Society recorded the highest rainfall at the GHMC Ward Office in Mahadevpuram, Quthbullapur, which received 151.5 mm. Other parts also saw a deluge, with the CMTC premises in Banjara Hills (Shaikpet) recording 124.5 mm and the Yousufguda Zonal Commissioner’s Office in Khairatabad not far behind at 117 mm.

Several other locations crossed the 100 mm mark—Srinagar Colony logged 106.3 mm, Rajiv Gruhakalpa in Kukatpally received 102 mm, and the Basthi Dawakhana at Kukatpally village recorded 100 mm. As the rain intensified, roads quickly turned into streams in areas like Banjara Hills, Ameerpet, Yousufguda, Sanathnagar, Balkampet, and Kukatpally, affecting vehicular movement and pedestrian access.

“I couldn’t step out for over two hours,” said Namratha, a bank official from Masab Tank. “Our lane was flooded knee-high and there was no way to reach the main road. Even autos refused to enter,” she added.

The GHMC’s Disaster Response Force teams, monsoon emergency workers, and Entomology and DRF personnel were deployed across all 30 circles. Circle and zonal commissioners were asked to stay on high alert. Special teams were sent to clear fallen trees, desilt clogged nalas, and respond to waterlogging complaints.

Meanwhile, HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath visited severely affected localities, including Balkampet and Yousufguda. He instructed staff to activate dewatering motors, secure manholes, and monitor stormwater drains closely. “We have formed special teams to respond quickly to any emergencies. Inundation-prone zones have been mapped, and barricades have been put up where needed,” added the Hydraa commissioner.

“We keep facing this every year,” said a shopkeeper near Diamond Point. “There’s no permanent solution. Just last week, they cleaned the drains, and still this happens. It’s frustrating.”

Meteorologists say more rain is likely over the next two days. Several lakes and stormwater drains are also being monitored for overflow risks. Officials are also tracking rising mosquito breeding complaints in flooded zones, given the stagnant water accumulation across multiple residential areas.