Archeological Survey of India (ASI) officials in Hyderabad rushed to the Charminar on Thursday evening after a portion of its northeast minaret was damaged and broke off amid heavy rain.
The incident has raised concerns about the protection of the 16th-century monument.
mla from the charminar constituency, mir Zulfiqar Ali of the All Indian Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (Aimim), tod The Indian Express that a small portion of stones and mortar got dislodged and fell off during the heavy downpour.
“It is fortunate that no one was below the minaret at that time… ASI officials have told me that the minaret is not under threat and that they will start repairs as soon as possible. Heritage conservation activists like myself and others have been raising concerns about the protection of Charminar,” he said.
An ASI official said they were assessing the damage. “But we do not think the entire minaret is under threat. A small portion got dislodged during the heavy downpour in the afternoon and fell down,” the official said.
In May 2019, a small tile from the southwest minaret had fell off during similar heavy rain and ASI officials conducted repairs.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), various parts of Hyderabad and other areas in Telangana experienced powerful thunderstorms with heavy winds on Thursday.
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The rain brought some respite as Hyderabad has seen rising temperatures in recent days, going up to around 35 degrees Celsius. IMD officials said the change in weather brought the temperature down by around 4 degrees.
The IMD has issued a warning that rains would continue until Sunday.
Following a heavy downpour in Hyderabad City, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy ordered officials to be on high alert.
Local civic authorities have been asked to take necessary relief measures and ensure people do not face hardship due to the rain.
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A CMO official said there were reports of flooding in low-lying areas due to the sudden downpour.
The Chief Minister has instructed Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari to review the situation from time to time and take appropriate measures to avoid inconvenience to those living in low-lying areas.
The CM ordered the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), the police, the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency and other departments to work in coordination to ensure that there is no waterlogging on the roads, traffic jams or power outages.
Energy Department authorities were also instructed to resolve power supply problems and restore services immediately. Civic authorities have been asked to take necessary relief measures in flooded colonies in the low-lying areas.
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CM Reddy asked officers and staff of various departments to support each other in taking up relief measures.
