Heavy downpour batters Telangana, normal life affected

HYDERABAD: Heavy downpour coupled with gusty winds battered many parts of the State inundating low-lying areas and affecting normal life. Civic authorities are on high alert as the Indian Meteorology Department (IMD) cautioned a similar situation till July 24, 2023.

While Manuguru (143.6mm), Dummugudem (141.6mm), and Aswapuram (122.8mm) of Bhadrari Kothagudem district, Venkatapuram (98.2mm) of Mulugu, Sadasinavagar (90.4) of Kamareddy and Mirdoddi (90.4) of Siddipet districts received heavy rainfall, Golkonda in Hyderabad received least rainfall of 1.5mm.

Rainfall was almost evenly distributed in other parts of Hyderabad City with Charminar, Khiaratabad, Kukatpally, LB Nagar, Secunderabad and Serilingampally receiving heavy rainfall. While traffic snarls became a regular feature due to heavy rains, roads in Usmangunj, Kishagunj, Maharajgunj and Feelkhana in Goshamahal area were covered with mud and in several areas, parking areas of the apartment complexes were inundated with rainwater submerging the pumps and vehicles.

Water logging is reported from Dharam Karan Road, Ranigunj, Road numbers 1 and 12 and Omega Hospitals in Banjara hills.

IMD Hyderabad centre cautioned people to watch out for heavy downpours, particularly at the end of the day. Coming to tweet, the Telangana Weatherman reported fifth-gear rains, the heaviest in the past three days, and advised people to stay indoors.

Meanwhile, State Health Minister T Harish Rao has advised the medical and health department to be ready to face a spike in waterborne diseases due to near-flood conditions in many urban areas. He will be conducting a review meeting on health on Thursday afternoon.

Many trees fell down in different places of the city disrupting traffic and power. GHMC personnel who are receiving several phone calls from citizens are rushing to these places to remove them on a war footing. One such heavy tree fell down in Padmarao Nagar affecting traffic and power in the vicinity.

Meanwhile, Hyderabad District Collector Anudeep Durishetty has ordered the tahsildars to ensure that there is no loss of life or property due to floods or rains. The collector addressed the revenue officials over a teleconference from his chamber.

On the other hand, GHMC officials started taking precautionary measures with the Hussain Sagar reaching its Full Tank Level (FTL) of 513.41 metres.