Waterlogging to gridlocks: Few hours of rain bring Hyderabad to its knees

Just two hours of rain brought Hyderabad to its knees.

Normal life was completely paralyzed in and around Nampally, Mallepally, Begum Bazaar, Osman Gunj Abids Aghapura, Attapur, and Rajendernager areas after roads were flooded.

According to GHMC officials, Nampally recorded the highest rainfall of 9.2 centimeters, while Rajendranagar recorded 6.4 cm and Mehdipatnam 4.5 cm.

Meteorological Department has forecasted that heavy rains will occur in Telangana and Hyderabad for the next three days as the air pressure is decreasing over the West-Central Bay of Bengal.

Commercial areas like Moazzamjahi Market, Begum Bazar, Osmanganj, Afzalganj, Nampally, Mehdipatnam, Guddimalkapur Market, and Tolichowki have been severely affected due to rain.

Trader Mohammed Mukkaram of Osmanganj said Monday is always crucial for the business community. "All activities were disturbed due to rain and water logging in the market. Even GHMC officials had constructed a box drain in the area two years ago. But it has not solved the problem. We face the same situation that we encountered six years ago", he added.

Nanalnager Corporater Mohammed Naseeruddin said due to pending works at Balkapur Nala, water got stagnated near Tolichowki. He said he raised this issue thrice in the General Body meeting, but works related to Nala-widening are yet to start.

Lanes and by-lanes of the thickly populated Mallepally were also flooded. Videos of kids swimming on the flooded roads went on viral on social media. According to locals, Afzal Sager Nala has overflown, and that caused waterlogging.

Several vehicles including the RTC bus were stuck in four feet of rainwater near pillar number 191, Upperpally Attapur. Residents complained that slight rains cause water logging and gridlock.

"I had to spend two hours to reach from Mehdipatnam to Aramghar crossroad," said Mohammed Noor a resident of Bandlaguda.

"Whenever it rains, the bridge of Musarambagh is closed for traffic causing problems for commuters of Malakpet, Dilsukhnager, Amberpet, Koti, and Abids," said Mohammed Minhaj of Akbarbagh

According to a GHMC official, 9 out of 37 Nala works have been taken up in the old city. He said six of them come under Charminar Zone and three comes under Jalpally Municipality. In other areas, 50 percent of the work has been completed. In the old city, work on 7 out of 9 nalas is yet to start.

Old city citizens can contact GHMC's toll-free numbers 040-21111111 and 040-29555500 for any complaint related to rain.