Despite showers, monsoon in city still slightly below average
With heavy rains lashing the city, emergency teams were put on standby and helplines were activated. Residents were advised to keep essential supplies and power backups ready.
Traffic came to a near standstill on arterial roads. Commuters faced long delays on stretches such as Biodiversity Junction to IKEA, Mindspace to Cyber Gateway and Dallas Road. Approaches to the Raidurg Metro station were choked as commuters were seen with vehicles moving through knee-deep water.
The rainfall also affected reservoirs. With inflows rising in the Himayatsagar catchment area, authorities opened one gate at 10 pm. Irrigation officials said downstream departments had been alerted.
The IMD issued a yellow alert for all districts over the next five days, warning of thunderstorms, lightning and continued heavy rain. Districts including Nalgonda, Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthy and Gadwal are expected to receive heavy rainfall till Saturday.
Despite Thursday’s intense showers, Hyderabad’s monsoon remains slightly below average. Between June 1 and August 7, the GHMC area received 308.3 mm of rainfall, compared to the normal 316.9 mm — a deviation of -3%. At the state level, the deficit is wider, with 363.6 mm recorded against the normal 409.0 mm, a deviation of -11%.
Mayor takes stock
Mayor Gadwal Vijayalaxmi inspected affected areas. At Ambedkar Nagar, where a nala retaining wall had collapsed, she told officials to put up barricades and signage. Directions were also issued at Maheshwari Towers after a drain collapse, and at the Vengal Rao building, where a fallen electric pole posed a hazard.
