Excessive rain has brought Hyderabad to a standstill, affecting normal life over the last week. Massive water-logging, traffic jams and flooding have been reported in many areas of the city.
The traffic police have advised residents to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary. All private and government schools and colleges have been ordered to remain closed on Friday and Saturday in the area under the jurisdiction of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), according to a statement released by the chief minister's office.
The GHMC has asked the army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to help in rescue operations in the city. The army's help has been sought to inspect low-lying areas like Begumpet, Nizampet, Alwal and Hakimpet, where people will be evacuated on boats. The GHMC may also vacate 50 colonies, depending on the intensity of rain, while the army will examine the vulnerable areas, according to the Deccan Chronicle.
The GHMC demolished 13 old buildings in Domalaguda after two persons were injured when three buildings collapsed on Thursday.
Alert has been issued in LB Nagar, Uppal, Kapra, Malkajgiri, Alwal, Quthbulla.
Heavy rain has been predicted by the India Meteorological Department for the next five days in various districts of Telangana, including Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy, Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Nalgonda, Mahbubnagar and Medak.
The heavy downpour is also likely to disrupt train movement. The Secunderabad-Howrah Falaknama Express via Guntur and Vijayawada was evacuated near Bellamkonda after flash floods damaged the tracks.
Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has instructed the police and the GHMC to set up emergency control rooms and to be on standby for any emergency. He also asked them to take help from state police wings, the Rapid Action Force and disaster management teams.
