An intense spell of rain on Wednesday that lasted just over half-an-hour brought Hyderabad to a grinding halt. What ensued were swirling waters near manholes, severe waterlogging, and massive traffic snarls across several areas of the city. Commuters were left drenched, stranded, and faced with travel times of up to three quarters of an hour longer than usual. Revellers transporting Ganesh idols found themselves in a spot of bother.
The downpour, which caught residents off guard, began around 5 p.m. According to data, it was most intense in Langar Houz, where 94 mm of rainfall was recorded at the automatic weather station. Followed closely by Shivrampally with 72.8 mm and Shaikpet with 61.8 mm of rainfall. In total, eight automatic weather stations within the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits reported rainfall between 40 mm and 50 mm. However, areas in the Old City, such as Charminar with 12.8 mm and Saidabad with 4.8 mm, experienced significantly less rainfall.
While weather during the day was sultry, the repercussions of sudden burst of rain towards the evening were felt on the city’s key stretches. Main carriageways in Begumpet, several parts of Secunderabad including Paradise, Tank Bund, and other areas such as Abids witnessed severe traffic congestion. The downpour halted traffic at Pillar No. 190 in Attapur.
