HYDERABAD: Sudden and sharp showers that lashed certain parts of the city on Monday afternoon caught citizens unawares and brought traffic to a grinding halt on many key stretches. Roads and flyovers got waterlogged in many areas, resulting in traffic logjams at Maitrivanam, Punjagutta, Greenlands and Begumpet.
Traffic police and civic authorities had to struggle for more than two hours to bring back normalcy on roads. Most parts of the city experienced heavy winds and light showers, bringing down temperature much to the relief of summer weary citizens.
Surprised by the sudden showers, motorists and pedestrians were forced to take shelter wherever possible. Pedestrians had to wade through knee-deep water at Greenlands, Ameerpet, Maitrivanam, Punjagutta and Begumpet. “We are fortunate that the showers ceased before peak traffic hours. If the rain had continued for an hour more, the traffic would have been very difficult to control,” a police officer said.
The city recorded 23 mm rainfall within a span of an hour. The temperature that was hovering around 40 degree Celsius saw a fall of 4 degrees and was recorded at 36 degree Celsius at 5.30 p.m. on Monday. The minimum temperature was recorded at 24.5 degree Celsius. Humidity levels stood at 74 per cent, MeT officials said. They also forecast that some parts might receive sharp rainfall accompanied by thundershowers on Tuesday, too.
