Hyderabad Rains 19 killed as Heaviest October Rain in a Century Maroons City

Hyderabad Rains 19 killed as Heaviest October Rain in a Century Maroons City

Heavy rainfall across Telangana have killed at least 19 people so far even as thunderstorm accompanied by lightning occurred at isolated places across the state, including capital Hyderabad. The incessant rains since Tuesday led to the capital city reeling under severe waterlogging and inundation of some low-lying areas.

The Met department on Wednesday issued a yellow alert for Hyderabad, while the state government declared a holiday on Wednesday and Thursday for all private institutions, offices, non-essential services within Outer Ring Road in view of rains. It also advised people to stay indoor as far as possible.

The IMD said that the sub-cyclonic system or “deep depression” is likely to peter out in a day, but will regain in strength once it crosses the Maharashtra coast on October 16. Earlier in the day, it also said that the depression over western parts of Telangana would move northwestwards and weaken into a low pressure area in 12 hours

Vanasthalipuram, Dammaiguda, Attapur Main Road, and Musheerabad were some of the areas of Hyderabad that faced severe waterlogging due to the overnight incessant rainfall. Many areas in central parts of Hyderabad like Begumpet, Ameerpet and Panjagutta also faced inundation. 

As Hyderabad witnessed recorded unprecedented overnight rainfall, the GHMC authorities was forced to open the floodgates of the Himayat Sagar dam, which supplies water to Hyderabad, on Tuesday night, leading to many surrounding areas flooding. 

The extent of the calamity that struck Hyderabad can be gauged by the fact that the city recorded its worst rainfall for the month of October in the last 100 years -- around 200 mm.

Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development KT Rama Rao and Animal Husbandry Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav held an emergency meeting with senior officials and reviewed the rescue and relief operations in the city. The GHMC Mayor, Deputy Mayor, MLAs, and other elected representatives and officials were ordered to be available in the field and continuously monitor and coordinate relief measures.