Hyderabad reels as Musi river floods, 600 shifted
HYDERABAD: The Musi river turned ferocious on Friday, flooding several low-lying areas of Hyderabad and forcing authorities to evacuate hundreds of residents.
With heavy inflows from Himayatsagar and Gandipet reservoirs, the river overflowed onto Chaderghat and Moosarambagh bridges. Traffic was stopped as water flowed several feet above the bridges. Vehicles were diverted through Golnaka.
Floodwaters entered the Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station, disrupting passenger movement. At Moosanagar near Chaderghat, about 200 houses were submerged. Residents carrying whatever belongings they could rushed onto the streets. “Everything we had has been washed away,” said one of the victims in tears.
Authorities shifted 600 people from Vinayaka Veedi and Rasoolpura to relief camps. At least 55 were moved to a community centre in Gode Khabar. Officials said the Chaderghat causeway might be shut any moment due to the heavy flow.
Himayatsagar released 14,448 cusecs through six gates, while Gandipet discharged 10,668 cusecs through 12 gates. Water Board staff were directed to cancel leave and report for duty immediately.
The Hussaini Alam Shiva temple was surrounded by water, and several bridges near Gandipet, Chinamangalagudem and Sultanpur-Amadapur were closed.
Heavy rain across city
Hyderabad received heavy rain throughout Friday, flooding several parts of the IT corridor. Cyberabad traffic police appealed to IT companies to allow work-from-home, easing congestion. Chief minister A Revanth Reddy postponed public programmes, including a Bathukamma event.
Tragedies reported in districts
In Asifabad, 78-year-old Pawar Bikkunaiak suffered a heart attack but died after his family was stranded at an overflowing stream. In Bhupalpally district, a woman, Mandha Lakshmi, died when a wall collapsed on her during heavy rains. In Vikarabad district, two men were swept away while crossing a swollen tank bund; one survived by clinging to a tree, the other went missing. In Ranga Reddy district, NKP Satyaiah (54) drowned while trying to cross a stream.
Hospitals, airport hit
Floodwaters entered the ENT Hospital at Koti, damaging the drainage system and leaving wards filled with foul-smelling water. “Despite repeated complaints, GHMC has done nothing,” said superintendent Dr Anand Acharya.
At Shamshabad airport, poor weather disrupted several flights. Services from Mumbai, Pune and Kolkata were diverted to Vijayawada, and several outbound flights were cancelled. Passengers faced long delays.
More rain forecast
The Met Centre warned of heavy to very heavy rain in the next two days under the influence of a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal.
