Record-Breaking Rainfall Brings City to a Standstill
Hyderabad witnessed an extraordinary spell of rainfall, recording nearly 280 millimeters in just 24 hours, the highest in recent years. The downpour, which began late on Thursday and continued through Friday, left several parts of the city inundated, paralyzing traffic, flooding homes, and disrupting daily life for millions of residents.
According to the local meteorological department, the rainfall intensity was among the heaviest Hyderabad has experienced in over a decade, pushing civic authorities into emergency mode as rescue operations and relief measures were launched across the city.
Streets Flooded, Traffic Paralyzed
Major arterial roads, including stretches around Charminar, Mehdipatnam, and Secunderabad, were submerged under knee-deep to waist-deep water. Motorists were stranded for hours, and public transport services faced severe delays. Several underpasses were closed due to flooding, while local trains and metro services reported reduced operations in water-logged zones.
Residential areas such as Malakpet, LB Nagar, and Kukatpally reported water entering homes, forcing many families to move belongings to higher floors. Electricity supply was disrupted in low-lying areas as a precautionary measure to prevent accidents, adding to residents’ woes.
Civic Authorities on High Alert
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) deployed hundreds of workers to pump out water, clear clogged drains, and assist in evacuating residents from vulnerable neighborhoods. Disaster Response Force teams were also pressed into service, particularly in areas near lakes and overflowing drains where the risk of flooding was most severe.
Officials confirmed that several lakes around the city, including Hussain Sagar and Musi River, swelled dangerously close to their capacity. Controlled water releases were initiated to prevent breaches, though this added to flooding in downstream localities.
Background: A City Prone to Heavy Rains
Hyderabad, known for its uneven terrain and rapid urban expansion, has long faced challenges with drainage and flood management. Experts have repeatedly warned that unchecked urbanization, encroachment of water bodies, and inadequate stormwater infrastructure make the city highly vulnerable during intense monsoon spells.
The current rainfall has reignited debates around urban planning and resilience. Environmentalists argue that restoring natural drainage channels and protecting lakes is essential to prevent recurring urban flooding.
Residents Struggle Amid Relief Efforts
Local communities bore the brunt of the extreme weather. Many residents reported being trapped inside their homes without access to food and clean water. Shops and businesses remained closed in several affected districts, leading to economic disruption. Hospitals, already burdened with seasonal illnesses, faced difficulties as ambulances struggled to navigate water-logged roads.
Volunteers and non-governmental organizations have stepped in to provide food packets, drinking water, and temporary shelters to those displaced by flooding.
Future Outlook: More Rain Predicted
Meteorological forecasts suggest that more rain is expected over the weekend, though not at the same intensity as the 280 mm downpour. Authorities have urged citizens to remain cautious, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay updated through official alerts.
Urban experts stress that the city must adopt long-term flood mitigation strategies, including modernized drainage systems, preservation of wetlands, and stricter building regulations. Without such measures, Hyderabad may continue to face similar disruptions with every extreme rainfall event.
Conclusion
The unprecedented 280 mm of rainfall in 24 hours has once again exposed Hyderabad’s vulnerabilities to extreme weather. While emergency measures are underway to restore normalcy, the incident highlights the urgent need for sustainable urban planning and resilient infrastructure to protect the city from future flooding disasters.
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