Hyderabad, one of India’s fastest-growing metropolitan cities, has been reeling under the impact of relentless rainfall that has battered the region for days, flooding major roads, crippling traffic, sweeping people away in drains, and raising fears of more devastation as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) continues to issue fresh alerts.

Torrential Downpour Turns Roads Into Rivers

On Sunday night, Hyderabad witnessed a relentless spell of rain that transformed arterial roads into gushing streams. According to the Telangana Development Planning Society (TGDPS), Siddipet’s Narayanraopet recorded the highest rainfall of 245.5 mm between 8:30 am on September 14 and 8:00 am on September 15. Other areas also recorded significant rainfall:

• Rangareddy’s Abdullapurmet-Thatianaram – 128 mm

• Hyderabad’s Musheerabad – between 114.5 mm and 124 mm across different monitoring stations

The sudden cloudburst overwhelmed Hyderabad’s already stressed drainage system. Traffic across the city crawled as police, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) teams, and Disaster Response Force (DRF) worked to clear waterlogging.

GHMC Mayor Vijayalaxmi Gadwal, monitoring the situation from the command control centre at Banjara Hills, said she was personally overseeing relief measures. Pumps and diversion teams were deployed to drain accumulated water and reroute stranded vehicles.

Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, India right now!#HyderabadRains pic.twitter.com/xHaoMMNM3Q— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) September 17, 2025

Tragedy Strikes: Missing Persons and Deaths Reported

The heavy rains turned fatal for several residents.

• In Parsigutta, a man named Sunny was swept away when a drain wall collapsed near the 44 bus stop. The father of two was pulled into the gushing waters, and his scooter was later recovered near Parsigutta Church, about half a kilometre away. DRF personnel have been searching manholes and drains in the area, but he remains missing.

• In another tragic incident at Nampally, two men, Arjun (26) and Rama (28), were washed away in floodwaters. Search operations are still underway, with DRF teams combing the surrounding drains and manholes.

• Earlier on September 14 in Habeeb Nagar, two young men were swept away by sudden floods. Police confirmed the victims as Arjun (26) and Rama (25). Despite three DRF teams being deployed, the strong current has hindered recovery efforts.

• On Wednesday night, Sharafuddin (27) lost his life after being swept away by gushing waters at the Balkampet underpass near Begumpet. Riding home on his bike, he was dragged into a submerged cellar by the flood. Local residents tried to save him, but the strong currents overpowered them. Sharafuddin, who worked at a prosthetics manufacturing company in Balanagar, was later found dead by local youth.

• In Mallepally’s Afzalsagar nala, Arjun (26) and his cousin Ramu (25) went missing after floodwaters engulfed them. Similarly, Dinesh (24) from Vinobha Nagar in Secunderabad was swept into a nala and remains untraced.

With four deaths confirmed and multiple people missing, Hyderabad’s rains have turned into a grim reminder of the city’s fragile urban infrastructure.

IT Corridor Choked by Waterlogging

The IT corridor, home to Hyderabad’s thriving tech industry, was among the worst-hit zones. Localities like Madhapur, Gachibowli, Hitec City, Kondapur, and Miyapur faced hours-long gridlocks as office-goers were stranded in knee-deep water.

The IKEA junction and Madhapur-Hitec City junction reported massive jams, while flooding also affected Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills, and central parts of Hyderabad.

Rainfall records further revealed the scale of the downpour:

• Miyapur – 97.5 mm

• Lingampally – 82.3 mm

• University of Hyderabad campus – 81.3 mm

• Serilingampally mandal saw the maximum average within GHMC limits at 33.6 mm.

Widespread Waterlogging and Power Cuts

Several low-lying colonies, including Motilal Nehru Nagar in Begumpet, were completely inundated, with water seeping into cellars and apartment basements. Residents in old CBI quarters at Khairatabad spent sleepless nights as rainwater entered their homes.

In northern and western parts of the city, particularly Serilingampally, Chandanagar, Kukatpally, RC Puram, Uppal, Kapra, Musheerabad, and Osmania University surroundings, roads were submerged, and power cuts disrupted daily life.

Musheerabad recorded a staggering 184.5 mm of rainfall, with more than 20 localities crossing the “very heavy rainfall” mark.

Government and Police Response

To handle the crisis, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy ordered an integrated flood-relief operation. Departments including Police, HYDRAA, GHMC, Traffic, and Energy were directed to coordinate efforts. Citizens in low-lying areas were urged to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary.

The CM also instructed the administration to seek financial aid from the Union Government to strengthen rehabilitation measures. Teams have been deployed across Hyderabad to manage traffic, pump out stagnant water, and rescue stranded residents.

Hyderabad Traffic Police, meanwhile, issued a statement thanking citizens for their patience. “Our teams worked round-the-clock to regulate traffic at key junctions, coordinate with GHMC and HYDRAA, and respond swiftly to emergency calls. We remain committed to your safety and service,” the statement said.

IMD Issues Yellow and Orange Alerts

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has been closely tracking the unstable weather pattern caused by a depression over the Bay of Bengal.

• Yellow Alert: Issued across Telangana for September 18 and 19, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (30–40 kmph).

• September 20: The alert will expand to cover districts including Hyderabad, Rangareddy, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Vikarabad, Sangareddy, Medak, Kamareddy, Mahabubnagar, Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthy, Narayanpet, and Jogulamba Gadwal.

• Orange Alert: Declared in districts like Adilabad, Nirmal, Jagtial, and Siddipet for “very heavy rain.”

IMD forecasts suggest light to moderate rain with thunderstorms and gusty winds persisting over the next few days. Misty and hazy conditions are also expected during mornings and late evenings.

#HyderabadRains :#HeavyRains lashes in #Hyderabad on Wednesday night, leading to Waterlogging several areas.

Scary Videos surfaced - Streets were turns into Streams, Stay Home Stay Safe

These videos claim from:

1. #AshokNagar
2. #Lallaguda
3. #KrishnaNagarColony
4.… pic.twitter.com/ThxmRjFy8p— Surya Reddy (@jsuryareddy) September 17, 2025

Advisory for Citizens

Authorities have repeatedly cautioned residents not to venture near waterlogged underpasses, swollen drains, or nalas. Traffic advisories suggest commuters add 20–30 minutes buffer to evening travel, follow diversions, and prefer metro services over road transport during peak rainfall.

Safety Checklist:

• Drivers: Avoid underpasses, reduce speed, and never attempt to cross water beyond wheel hub level.

• Households: Elevate electronics, clear terrace drains, and secure balcony items.

• Outdoors: Stay away from trees, hoardings, and open fields during gusty winds or lightning.

A City Struggling Against Climate Extremes

From drowned streets to stranded commuters, from missing youth to grieving families, Hyderabad has once again highlighted the perils of unchecked urbanization and inadequate drainage systems. With the IMD forecasting continued downpours and warnings in place, the city stands at a critical juncture — battling floods, safeguarding lives, and bracing for more rainfall in the days ahead.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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