HYDERABAD: The city was paralysed on Monday evening as heavy rains turned arterial roads into flowing water channels, leaving commuters stranded for over an hour during peak traffic.
Traffic jams were reported in Khairatabad and Shaikpet flyovers and PVNR Expressway, while waterlogging was reported at many places, including Raj Bhavan Road. Water entering transformers caused localised electricity outages in some areas. Residents of Towlichowki & Hakimpet witnessed chaos as two-wheelers, autos and cars were swept away in gushing waters.
Shaikpet recorded the highest downpour in the city at 106 mm, followed by Srinagar Colony in Khairatabad at 100 mm.
Roads beneath several Metro stations turned into mini-lakes, forcing people to seek shelter under pillars and station roofs. Traffic police and Disaster Response Force teams were deployed to manage vehicles and crowds.
Residents highlighted recurring issues, particularly at Raj Bhavan Road, where a rainwater-holding structure meant to prevent flooding filled within minutes, leaving the stretch submerged under knee-deep water. Despite GHMC constructing 10 rainwater harvesting structures across the city, each with a capacity of 2–10 lakh litres at a cost of Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore, heavy rains continue to overwhelm the system.
Commuters took to social media to vent frustration. “It took me three hours to reach Paradise from Banjara Hills,” one X user wrote. Videos circulating online showed cars floating, two-wheelers being washed away and underpasses turning into dangerous water traps.
At DV Colony near Patny Nala, residents reported repeated waterlogging: “We just finished draining rainwater from the rains the day before, and now it’s submerged again. Motors cannot run due to power cuts.”
Low-pressure system to lead to flood-like rains: IMD
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for heavy rain at isolated places in Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Nirmal, Vikarabad, Sangareddy, Medak, Kamareddy, Mahbubnagar and Narayanpet districts.
A low-pressure system is expected to form around September 27–28, raising the possibility of flood-like rains in the state.
Statewide, Atmakur in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district recorded the highest 24-hour rainfall at 126.8 mm, followed by Devaruppala in Jangaon district at 122.8 mm. The state’s daily average rainfall stood at 17.3 mm against the normal 6.5 mm. GHMC recorded an average rainfall of 20 mm against the normal 8.8 mm.
Cumulative rainfall from June 1 to September 22 reached 891.7 mm statewide against the normal 704.3 mm (27% above normal) and 818.2 mm in GHMC against 584.1 mm (40% above normal). Maximum temperatures recorded were 36.8°C at Pallegudem (Khammam) and 34.9°C at Ganaanka Bhavan (Hyderabad).