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A part of the northeast minaret of the famous Charminar monument in Hyderabad broke off during a heavy rainstorm on Thursday. This incident raised concerns about the condition and safety of the historic structure, which was built in the 16th century. Officials from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) quickly arrived to check the damage.
The damage happened during strong thunderstorms and high winds that swept across Hyderabad and other areas of Telangana. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the rains also brought some relief from the hot weather, which had been around 35°C.
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Charminar MLA Mir Zulfiqar Ali, from the AIMIM party, confirmed that a few stones and some mortar had fallen from the minaret. Fortunately, no one was standing near the area when it happened. He said ASI officials told him the structure is still stable and repair work would begin soon. Still, heritage activists remain concerned about the monument’s long-term protection.
An ASI official explained that only a small section of the minaret was damaged and there is no danger to the entire building. A similar incident took place in May 2019, when a tile fell from another minaret during heavy rains. ASI had repaired it at the time.
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The IMD expects more rain in Hyderabad and Telangana until Sunday, which may temporarily lower temperatures by about 4°C. In response, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has asked local authorities to stay alert. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), police, and disaster teams are working to prevent flooding, waterlogging, and power cuts.
Some low-lying areas have already reported flooding. To help affected residents, the government is organizing relief efforts. The Energy Department has also been told to fix any power issues as quickly as possible.
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