Heavy rains battered Hyderabad on Thursday, 7 August, causing roads and low-lying areas to flood and effectively paralyzing the city, prompting authorities to issue an alert. The intense downpour created a flood-like scenario in various parts of the city, leading to severe traffic congestion in the information technology corridor.

Numerous regions in central Hyderabad, Secunderabad, IT corridors, and the outskirts experienced flooding, with approximately 10 cm of rainfall recorded within just one hour. In some locations, two-wheelers were swept away, and water infiltrated homes in several neighborhoods.

Tech professionals returning home from workplaces in Madhapur and Gachibowli found themselves stuck in traffic. Many reported being trapped in a jam for four to five hours.

Due to waterlogging at Malkam Cheruvu, police recommended that commuters avoid the Bio Diversity to Shaikpet route and instead take the alternative route via IKEA and Cable Bridge. HYDRAA commissioner A.V. Ranganath, along with other officials, was assessing the waterlogging situation. Cyberabad and Hyderabad police were actively managing the roads late Thursday night to address the crisis.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, currently in Delhi, alerted officials regarding the heavy rainfall and the forecast for additional rain. He communicated with Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao, Director General of Police Jitender, and other officials via phone, instructing them to be fully prepared. The Chief Minister also ordered that disaster management teams remain on standby, ready to respond promptly to any emergencies.

Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao held a teleconference with senior officials from the police command control room to assess the situation. He urged officials to implement strict preventive measures to prevent any loss of life or property. The Chief Secretary noted that certain areas in the city recorded up to 12 cm of rainfall. He instructed authorities to prioritize traffic management and address waterlogging issues, particularly in IT corridors.

He stressed that the GHMC must take prompt action to prevent public inconvenience and advised citizens to refrain from going out unless absolutely necessary. He also urged the public to avoid opening manhole covers under any circumstances and to stay clear of electric poles during rain.

In the meantime, a gate at the Himayat Sagar reservoir was opened on Thursday night due to significant inflows that caused the water level to rise.

As per officials from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB), continuous rainfall in the upstream regions over the last few days has resulted in increased water levels in both the Himayat Sagar and Osman Sagar reservoirs along the Musi River. As a safety precaution, they raised a gate at Himayat Sagar by one foot to allow water to flow downstream. Authorities issued an alert for areas adjacent to the Musi River.

HMWSSB managing director Ashok Reddy instructed officials, along with the administrative departments of Hyderabad and Rangareddy districts, HYDRAA, GHMC, and police, to work together efficiently and remain vigilant as water is released downstream. According to HMWSSB, the water level in Himayat Sagar stood at 1762.70 feet, compared to the Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 1763.50 feet.