MANHOLE THREAT? A passer-by seems lost on this flooded road in Lakdikapul as the city experienced incessant rain on Friday. PHOTO: SATISH H.

HYDERABAD: Heavy rain and strong winds swept the city the entire day on Friday flooding several areas even as rainwater entered a few hundred houses in Rasoolpura, Virasatnagar in Sheikhpet, Nehrunagar of Himayatnagar and Talabkatta in the old city.

At Prashantnagar in Golkonda area, five persons, including a pregnant woman Lalamma, were injured when a wall came down crashing on them. Lalamma suffered fractures and was shifted to Osmania General Hospital along with 10-year-old Shanamma, Yadaiah and Durgesh.

All of them were said to be migrant labour from Karnataka.

At the municipal quarters in the almost four-decade-old IDH Colony at Bhoiguda, 24 families were evacuated after a balcony wall collapsed in one of the blocks. In all, there are about 300 quarters in 11 blocks.

"We are shifting them to rehabilitation centres," Hyderabad Collector R. Chandravadan said. "The buildings are in a precarious condition and need to be pulled down immediately. We are planning to demolish them," he observed.

Dark and ominous clouds hung over the city throughout the day as a steady downpour lashed various parts.

Several areas went without power in the wee hours while officials kept a close watch on the rising water levels in the Hussainsagar, the Musi and nalas crisscrossing the heart of the city.

The city recorded 6 cm of rain on Friday (up to 8.30 p.m.) The incessant rain once again threw the crumbling civic infrastructure into total disarray.

Roads took a severe beating and many stretches were waterlogged. Trees fell on the battered roads, obstructing traffic.

Since most schools declared a holiday on account of `Sravana Shukravaram,' children were spared of the rainy ordeal.

Attendance was low at offices as well. The festive atmosphere was dampened though attendance in temples picked up towards the evening.

The Met office said the rain would continue for next 24 hours.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail