Cyclone Montha brings heavy rains, disrupts normal life in Hyderabad’s Old City

Heavy rains caused by Cyclone Montha disrupted life in Hyderabad’s Old City on Wednesday. Markets remained empty, schools were closed, and waterlogging was reported in several areas. GHMC and police teams monitored flooding and worked to restore normalcy across low-lying zones

Hyderabad: Normal life was disrupted in the Old City following incessant rains on Wednesday in view of the cyclone ‘Montha’.

The markets wore a deserted look with people remaining indoors following continuous rains and businessmen complained of ‘zero footfall’ affecting their daily income. The petty traders stayed away from the markets in view of the rains and remained at their houses. “We opened the shop at 10 am and have been idling away. People are confined to their houses and there is literally no business,” said Mujahid Alam, a garments trader at Charminar.

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A few schools remained open while many school managements declared a holiday in view of the forecast for heavy rains for Wednesday. Water stagnation was witnessed at several places in Chandrayangutta, Falaknuma, Mallepally, Khilwat, Tallabkatta, Rein Bazaar, Uppuguda and Aghapura.

The auto rickshaw drivers complained of low earnings on account of heavy rains. “I came on the road at 8 am, but even after spending around six hours on the road, I could not earn even Rs 400,” complained Mohd Jaffar, an auto rickshaw driver.

The GHMC teams, along with the local public representatives, took up measures in different low-lying areas to prevent flooding. The local police were also monitoring the flow in River Musi and had set up barricades on all the bridges across the Musi.

In the south east and southern areas of Ranga Reddy district, such as Ibrahimpatnam, Aghapally, Chowdharpally, Yacharam, Amangal, Shamshabad, Shadnagar, Kadthal and Maheshwaram, there were reports of heavy rains since Tuesday night.

People remained indoors and ventured out only if necessary and schools in most of the mandal headquarters and towns remained closed. The business activity, including the weekly shanties, reported low business. The village tanks and ponds were brimming with inflows and the local revenue authorities were continuously monitoring the situation.