Lagatar24 Desk
Hyderabad: Heavy rains pounded Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana on Monday, severely disrupting normal life with widespread waterlogging and traffic congestion reported across the city. The torrential downpour left several areas, including Tolichowki, Sri Nagar Colony, Ameerpet, Mehdipatnam, Shaikpet, and Secunderabad, submerged in knee-deep water, forcing residents to navigate through flooded streets.
The Meteorological Centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Hyderabad has forecasted thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds ranging from 30-40 kmph in isolated locations such as Adilabad, Komaram Bheem Asifabad, and Hyderabad on August 20. A yellow alert has been issued for the next four days across nearly all districts, including Hyderabad, Rangareddy, and Medchal-Malkajgiri, signaling the possibility of more intense weather conditions.
In Hyderabad, the areas receiving the most rainfall included Quthbullapur with 35.2 mm, Jubilee Hills with 34.2 mm, and Yousufguda with 28.3 mm, exacerbating the waterlogging situation.
Meanwhile, two tragic incidents occurred in the Jogulamba Gadwal district due to lightning strikes amidst the heavy rains. A 40-year-old man and a 15-year-old girl lost their lives while working in agricultural fields during the storm.
In Nizamabad, heavy rain caused a sudden surge of water that left an RTC bus stranded under a railway bridge. The bus, traveling from Armoor to Nizamabad town, became stuck in nearly four feet of water, causing panic among the passengers. Local residents and police swiftly intervened, ensuring the safe evacuation of all passengers. Municipal authorities later deployed a JCB to remove the bus. Due to the flooding, bus services to Karimnagar and Warangal, which pass through the same bridge, were also disrupted. Several low-lying areas in Nizamabad town were similarly affected by the deluge.
With the IMD’s yellow alert in place, authorities and residents are urged to remain vigilant as the state braces for more heavy rainfall and potential thunderstorms in the coming days.