Heavy rains continued to lash Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana on Tuesday, paralysing normal life, throwing road transport out of gear and damaging crops.
Rains accompanied by lightning continued in Hyderabad and outskirts since late Monday night, inundating low-lying areas.
Water-logging on the roads led to traffic snarls at several places in the city. Motorists switched on headlights of their vehicles as thick dark clouds turned the day into night.
Incessant rains, under the impact of a deep depression, inundated roads in busy areas like Himayat Nagar, Basheerbagh, Nampally, Lakdi Ka Pul, Mehdipatnam, Toli Chowki, Gachibowli, Jubilee Hills and Banjara Hills.
Meanwhile, water level in Himayatsagar reservoir on the outskirts of Hyderabad continued near Full Tank Level. Officials said the gates of the reservoir may be opened anytime to let the excess water into the Musi river.
People living in areas along Musi river have been alerted to move to safe places. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has also gone on alert in view of the heavy rains forecast.
A house in Dhoolpet area in Hyderabad was damaged after a huge rock fell on it. The family living in the house had a narrow escape.
Meanwhile, heavy rains in several districts led to overflow of lakes, tanks, streams and other water bodies, cutting off road links to dozens of villages.
In Khammam district, a man was washed away in an overflowing stream. He, along with his son, lost balance while crossing the stream to go to their fields. While son Rajesh escaped by holding on to a tree but Ravi was washed away.
Khammam and adjoining Bhadradri Kothagudem district received heavy rainfall since Monday night. The government hospital in Madhira town of Khammam district was flooded with rainwater.
Knee deep water was accumulated in the inpatient ward. Women with their newborn children were seen leaving the hospital.
Coal production in some mines of Singareni Collieries Company Ltd was affected due to incessant rains.
Crops over hundreds of acres in various districts were damaged. According to the Telangana State Development Planning Society, Vemsoor in Khammam district received the highest rainfall of 73.3 mm till 11 am
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said a deep depression over north coastal Andhra Pradesh weakened into a depression over Telangana.
It is very likely to move west-northwestwards and weaken into a well-marked low pressure area during the next 12 hours.