Musi swells, Hyderabad sinks as flood fury unleashes chaos

The Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station, one of Asia’s largest bus terminals, was submerged, disrupting bus services.

A swollen Musi fully submerges (above) the Chaderghat low bridge while HYDRAA personnel help a stranded passenger out from the flooded MGBS, and left, a drone delivers food to a man stranded atop a flooded building PHOTO | SRI LOGANATHAN VELMURUGAN

HYDERABAD: With the river Musi in spate following incessant rain and the lifting of crest gates at Osmansagar and Himayathsagar reservoirs, localities in low-lying areas downstream turned into lakes overnight.

The HMWSSB opened 15 crest gates at Osmansagar and 11 at Himayathsagar, releasing around 39,000 cusecs of water downstream, causing the Musi to overflow near Chaderghat and Moosarambagh bridges.

The Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station, one of Asia’s largest bus terminals, was submerged, disrupting bus services. Stranded passengers were evacuated by HYDRAA as floodwaters surged six feet above Chaderghat and 10 feet above Moosarambagh bridges.

Water release reduces to 10,000 cusecs

TSRTC diverted buses to other city points. The under-construction bridge at Moosarambagh was also at risk, with construction equipment reportedly washed away.

Several houses along the Musi banks in Chaderghat, Moosarambagh, Shivaji statue, Shankar Nagar and nearby areas were inundated, with residents shifted to relief camps. GHMC set up 10 centres across Malakpet, Amberpet, and Goshamahal, providing food, water, and medical aid to over 1,467 people. Drones were used to deliver essential supplies.Water levels began receding on Saturday, with HMWSSB closing seven crest gates at Osmansagar and six at Himayathsagar, releasing 10,000 cusecs by evening compared to 39,000 cusecs earlier.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy monitored the situation, directing authorities to evacuate people in low-lying areas and ensure public safety. HYDRAA, GHMC, NDRF, SDRF and police teams carried out rescue operations, using ropes and boats.

Minister Ponnam Prabhakar inspected flood-hit areas, including Chaderghat bridge and MGBS. He asked police to restrict access to affected bridges until engineers complete safety checks and directed officials to ensure relief arrangements run smoothly.

HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath urged residents in waterlogged areas to move to safer locations. “Public safety is the top priority, and every effort is being made to protect lives,” he said.