Telangana

High profit margins in cannabis are attracting small-time criminals in Hyderabad’s Mangaru Basthi and Fatehnagar. Smuggling ganja from Maharashtra and Karnataka, families target daily wage workers and auto drivers. Crackdowns by the Prohibition and Excise Department aim to curb the trade.

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi appealed to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to rescue 16 Indians, including three from Hyderabad, who were deceived with false job offers in Thailand and forced into slave-like conditions on the Myanmar-Thailand border.

Katora Houz, a 16th-century heritage tank at Golconda Fort, once filled with rose water and surrounded by gardens, now lies neglected and used as a garbage dumping site. Locals urge authorities to restore this historic architectural gem.

The ITC WOW Awards 2025–26 recognised students, schools, colleges, and corporates for supporting the Swachh Bharat Mission. Over 1.15 lakh students contributed around 1,200 metric tons of dry waste, with awards presented by Governor Jishnu Dev Varma and ITC officials.

The Special Investigation Team probing the phone-tapping case has issued notices to BRS working president KT Rama Rao, asking him to appear for questioning. The move comes shortly after former minister T Harish Rao was questioned for several hours.

Neglect and garbage dumping have turned the historic Katora Houz near Golconda Fort into a cesspool. Hyderabad-based NGO SAHE, with support from HYDRAA and archaeology officials, has initiated efforts to restore and protect the centuries-old water body.

South Central Railway has introduced new parking and traffic measures at Secunderabad railway station as part of redevelopment works. Parking is restricted on Platform No 1, while controlled access and paid basement parking are available on the Platform No 10 side to ensure smooth traffic flow.

Sankara Eye Hospital, Hyderabad, successfully restored vision in a patient with a critical retinal detachment. Despite a delayed diagnosis and high risk of vision loss, advanced retinal surgery led to steady recovery, with doctors continuing follow-up care.

The Indian Green Building Council and GHMC organised a stakeholder consultation in Hyderabad to discuss water discharge, waste and stormwater management. Officials and experts highlighted the need for integrated planning, flood resilience and sustainable infrastructure to build a water-secure city.

As part of Republic Day celebrations 2026, the Railway Protection Force organised a brass band performance at Begumpet railway station in Hyderabad. The event, attended by officials and staff, aimed to promote patriotism and was well received by passengers and the public.

HCES 2023–24 data reveal a sharp shift in Telangana from beedis to gutkha, with rural and urban households spending heavily on tobacco products. Public health experts warn the trend, driven by poverty and work conditions, could worsen nutrition and health outcomes.

Movement of a leopard created panic among villagers in Somagudam and Dubbagudem in Mancherial district. After spotting pugmarks, residents alerted forest officials, who began tracking the animal and advised farmers to take safety precautions while working in fields.

Despite a ban on Chinese manja, bird injuries and deaths have risen across Telangana during the kite flying season. Animal Warriors Conservation Society rescued 130 birds in January, highlighting continued use of the banned thread and lack of enforcement.

A 55-year-old woman from Kenya successfully underwent a living-related kidney transplant at AINU, Hitec City, after exhausting treatment options back home. Her sister donated a kidney, and doctors said the patient recovered well after surgery.

A woman died while three members of her family were hospitalised in critical condition following an alleged suicide attempt in Jagathgirigutta. Police said financial distress pushed the family into depression, leading to the tragic incident. A case has been registered.

BRS cadres were detained across the district ahead of Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka’s tour on Thursday. The Opposition accused the government of suppressing dissent, while tribals criticised officials for shutting the weekly bazaar at Jainoor mandal during the visit.

Several Congress leaders from municipalities in the erstwhile Medak district joined the BRS, strengthening the party ahead of municipal elections. Former Minister T Harish Rao welcomed them with party scarves and accused the Congress government of neglecting civic bodies.

A man was allegedly assaulted by his wife’s relatives on NH-44 at Kallakal after they intercepted a police vehicle escorting the couple to safety. The attackers forcibly took away the woman, even as police personnel allegedly failed to intervene.

Hyderabad is witnessing ‘mixed winter’ conditions, marked by hot days and chilly nights, with a temperature variation of up to 15 degrees Celsius. IMD-Hyderabad said fog and large diurnal variation are likely to persist till the second week of February.

Police registered a case against the NIT Warangal chief warden and three dog catchers for allegedly relocating stray dogs from campus in an inhumane manner. Animal activists accused them of cruelty, saying dogs were dragged and injured before intervention halted the activity

Two persons were killed after a car rammed their two-wheeler from behind at Alair on Thursday. The victims, identified as Sajuddin and Nitin Reddy from Jangaon, suffered grievous injuries and died on the spot, according to reports.

Three people, including a bus driver, were killed after a private bus heading to Hyderabad hit a lorry and caught fire in Nandyal district following a tyre burst. Thirty-six passengers were evacuated, with four sustaining minor injuries

At least five monkeys were killed and several injured after being injected with tranquilisers and dumped near a roadside dhaba in Ankampally village of Biknoor mandal. Forest and police officials have launched an investigation and are examining surveillance footage to trace the offenders.

Two persons were killed in a road accident at Aleru when their two-wheeler was rammed by a car