Orange alert: IMD predicts heavy to very heavy rains in Telangana for next three days

HYDERABAD: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Telangana for the next two days beginning from Tuesday.

The IMD warned that thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are very likely to occur in isolated places in Telangana on Tuesday and Wednesday. Heavy to very heavy rain is very likely in isolated places in the Telangana districts of Jagityal, Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Vikarabad, Sangareddy, Medak, Mahabubnagar and Nagarkurnool on Tuesday.

Heavy to very heavy rain is very likely to occur in isolated places in Telangana districts of Mancherial, Nirmal, Jagityal, Rajanna Siricilla, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Mahabubabad, Warangal, Hanamkonda and Jangaon on Wednesday. Residents in these districts were advised to stay updated with the latest weather forecasts and take necessary precautions.

Meanwhile, normal life was thrown out of gear in Hyderabad on Monday, following incessant rainfall. Several roads and streets were inundated, causing severe inconvenience for the public. The rain which began around 8:30 am lasted for a couple of hours and caused severe inconvenience to office-goers and students.

Heavy traffic snarls were reported at Jubilee Hills, Banjara hills, Ameerpet, Filmnagar, SR Nagar, Panjagutta, Khairatabad, Dilsukhnagar, LB Nagar, Madhapur, Mehdipatnam, Mallepalli, Masab Tank, Mangalhat, Nizampet and other areas due to water logging. Motorists faced a tough time wading through the roads due to overflowing of drains and manholes in several parts of the city.

Residents in low-lying areas urged the Disaster Response Force Teams of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) authorities to take up measures and resolve the problem of inundation. The sky remained overcast throughout the day. Following the incessant rain, traffic came to a standstill at BN Reddy Nagar, Nagole, Vanasthalipuram, Hayat Nagar, Pedda Amberpet and Abdullapurmet.

Vehicle users experienced a herculean task of commuting on the national highway towards Vijayawada as traffic came to a standstill at LB Nagar. At Gandhi Nagar, a woman was washed away in a nala. Upon obtaining information about the incident, four DRF teams of GHMC reached the spot and launched a search operation. Apart from that, 100 men were also deployed near the Musi River to rescue her.

The DRF teams were deployed in water stagnation areas and had cleared the fallen trees in various parts of the city. Director of Enforcement, Vigilance and Disaster Management, GHMC NV Prakash Reddy visited the wall collapse site at Banjara Hills, Road no 10, Gowrishankar Colony. No casualties were reported in the incident. Citizens may dial 040-21111111 or 9000113667 for GHMC-DRF assistance, he said.

Taking to Twitter, T Balaji popularly known as Telangana Weatherman said, "Rains completely reduces in Hyderabad, but severe thunderstorms getting intensified in Adilabad, Nirmal, Jagitial to cover parts of Sircilla, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Kamareddy. Fresh storms also ahead in Bhadradri, Mahabubabad, Khammam. Showers to continue in South Telangana."