Hyderabad hit by waterlogging, traffic snarls after heavy rain

Hyderabad has been hit by widespread waterlogging and traffic snarls following heavy rain, with the IMD forecasting further rainfall on Wednesday.

Jayashankar district logged Telangana’s highest rainfall on Tuesday at 196 mm, while Musheerabad recorded the highest total within Hyderabad at 54.5 mm, with Shaikpet, Tirumalagiri, Golkonda and Khairatabad also seeing significant rain.

Several areas reported waterlogging, including Madhapur, Gachibowli, Miyapur, Krishna Nagar, the Hyderabad Central University campus, and railway bridges at Raniganj and Secunderabad.

The weather department has forecast heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and squalls for Wednesday, issuing a yellow alert across all districts and a specific yellow alert for Cyberabad.

HYDRAA’s Disaster Response Force teams were deployed to clear waterlogged stretches and remove fallen tree branches in affected parts of the city.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Joel Davis inspected major waterlogging points, including Lakdikapul, Ayodhya Junction and PTI Masab Tank, reviewing drainage and traffic regulation measures on the ground.

Traffic police urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel during peak hours, drive cautiously, steer clear of waterlogged roads and factor in extra travel time.

Commuters were further advised to follow instructions from traffic personnel and monitor official advisories as rain continued to affect the city.

GHMC has additionally circulated an emergency helpline, 9000113667, for residents to report waterlogging and other rain-related issues in the city.

Officials have also urged residents in low-lying and flood-prone colonies to remain alert and move to safer ground if water levels rise sharply near their homes.

HYDRAA was set up by the Telangana government in July 2024 and covers the GHMC area along with Rangareddy, Medchal Malkajgiri and Sangareddy districts up to the Outer Ring Road, operating through separate wings for disaster management, asset protection and logistics support.

Hyderabad’s low-lying areas and ageing stormwater drainage network have made the city particularly prone to waterlogging during periods of intense monsoon rainfall in recent years.

(Image: Photo by Mohammed Mubashir, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)