Hyderabad: The state’s stormy weather, linked to cyclone Gulab, which crossed the coast at midnight, is wreaking havoc across parts of Telangana. The cyclone on Monday led to several low-lying areas in the city getting inundated with heavy rains that left several areas inundated with water, prompting the GHMC’s Enforcement Vigilance and Disaster Management (EV&DM) Director to ask people to stay indoors.
The rains, which began around 7 a.m., continued throughout the day, triggering waterlogging in several places, affecting traffic and also entering the cellars of several apartments in different areas. There were reports of heavy downpour in Dilsukhnagar, Kapra, Mehdipatnam, Malakpet, and Jubilee Hills. Also, there are signs of thunder and lightning in some areas.
According to data released by the Telangana State Development Planning Society (TSDPS) as of 7 p.m. in Hyderabad, the highest rainfall recorded was 101.8 mm in Rajendra Nagar, followed by 75.5 mm in Ramchanderpuram and Patancheruvu, 75.3 mm in Malakpet, 74.5 mm in Kapra and the lowest rainfall recorded of 2.8 mm in Malkajgiri.
As of 7 p.m. in the state, the highest rainfall of 151.5 mm was was reported in Bachodu at Khammam district, followed by 113.8 mm in Mallampalli of Mulugu district and 101.8 mm in Rajendranagar of Ranga Reddy district.
For the next 24 hours in the state, very heavy to extremely heavy rain is expected at Kamareddy, Nizamabad districts, heavy to very heavy rains are expected over Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Sangareddy, Medak, moderate to heavy rain is expected over Nirmal, Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Sangareddy, Medak, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Siddipet, Rajanna Sircilla, Peddapalli, Karimnagar, Warangal Urban, Warangal Rural, Mahabubabad, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem district, light to Moderate Rain is expected at all over the state. IMD also issued a flash flood alert for Telangana for the next 24 hours.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), which had declared a high alert a day in advance, has prepared ground level teams. DRF and monsoon teams of the GHMC have already begun operating in waterlogged areas. The India Meteorological Department on Monday has also warned of heavy to very heavy rains in Hyderabad for the next two days i.e., September 28 and September 29 due to the cyclone.
As per its weather report, the impact of Cyclone Gulab might last up to September 29. Maximum temperatures are expected to be in the range of 29 degree to 31 degree Celsius, while the minimum temperatures to be in the range of 20 degree to 22 degree Celsius, TSDPS said.
GHMC Director of Vigilance and Enforcement Vishwajit Kampati has also directed the zonal commissioners, deputy commissioners and heads of departments to take necessary action. He Advised them be vigilant towards the hinterlands especially. The civic body’s staff has also been instructed to take immediate action to respond to phone calls and to ensure that boats, pumps, other necessary equipment and machinery to made available.
To this end, a control room has been set up in the Hyderabad collectorate. Citizens are advised to contact the helpline number 040- 2320 2813 if necessary. According to the latest directives, two officers should be available in the collectorate. Collector L. Sharman has issued instructions to respond immediately to the phones.
During the last 24 hours, highest rainfall of 118.8 mm recorded at Kamepalle, Khammam district, highest maximum temperature of 35.4 degree Celsius recorded at Nagula Vancha, Khammam district and lowest minimum temperature of 21.8 degree Celsius recorded at Bantwaram, Vikarabad district.
During the last 24 hours in Hyderabad, hihest rainfall of 11.3 mm recorded at Kapra (circle no 1, Kapra), highest maximum temperature of 30.9 degree Celsius ecorded at Ganaanka Bhavan (circle no 17, Khairatabad) and lowest minimum temperature of 23.0 degree Celsius recorded at Jubileehills (circle no 18, Jubileehills).