Hyderabad Rain Fury: IMD Forecasts Heavy Rainfall; Cyberabad Police Advises IT Sector to Shift to Work From Home

The twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, along with several districts in Telangana, are grappling with an intense spell of heavy rainfall, prompting high alert from government authorities and traffic advisories to mitigate widespread disruption. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a forecast predicting continued downpour, leading the Cyberabad Police to officially advise Information Technology (IT) companies to implement ‘Work From Home’ (WFH) for their employees.

IMD Issues Rainfall Warning and Orange Alert

The IMD’s latest weather bulletin indicates that the active monsoon conditions, fueled by an ongoing weather system, will bring moderate to heavy rain and thundershowers to the capital region on Friday and potentially over the weekend. Crucially, the forecast includes gusty winds ranging between 40 to 50 kmph at isolated places, significantly increasing the risk of waterlogging, traffic snarls, and potential damage to infrastructure.

A broader ‘Orange Alert’ has been sounded for several districts across Telangana, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated locations. Districts such as Nirmal, Nizamabad, Jagtial, Warangal, and Mulugu are among those expected to be severely impacted, while Hyderabad and its adjacent districts fall under a ‘Yellow Alert’ for heavy rain, signaling the need for high preparedness. The extended forecast suggests that the wet spell could persist for up to a week in various parts of the state.

Cyberabad Police Advisory: A Call for WFH

In a pre-emptive measure to combat the expected traffic chaos and ensure commuter safety, the Cyberabad Traffic Police issued a stern advisory to IT and corporate firms operating within the commissionerate limits. The advisory strongly recommends that companies allow their employees to work remotely, especially on Friday and potentially over the next few days.

This move is intended to drastically reduce the volume of vehicles on the main roads, particularly the high-density IT corridors like Gachibowli, Madhapur, and Kondapur, which are highly susceptible to severe waterlogging and traffic congestion during heavy rains. By reducing commuter traffic, the police aim to keep key routes open for essential services and emergency response teams.

Widespread Impact on Daily Life and Travel

The persistent heavy rains have already taken a toll on daily life in Hyderabad. Several low-lying areas and critical road stretches have reported significant water pooling and inundation, bringing evening traffic to a crawl and disrupting schedules.

The impact has also extended to air travel. Poor visibility caused by the weather has led to the diversion of a few inbound flights at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in recent days. Major airlines have issued travel advisories, urging passengers to check their flight status and allow for extra travel time to the airport due to the heavy road congestion.

Government Agencies on High Alert

In response to the IMD’s warnings, the state government has mobilized various disaster response teams. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), along with the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams, have been placed on high alert.

District Collectors and local administrators have been directed to conduct immediate reviews of flood-prone zones, ensure timely evacuation of residents to relief camps if necessary, and strictly monitor causeways and low-level bridges. Furthermore, the Electricity Department has been instructed to ensure uninterrupted power supply and promptly address any instances of dangling or damaged power lines to prevent accidents.

Residents have been urged to exercise extreme caution, avoid unnecessary travel, especially during peak rainfall hours, and stay updated with official weather advisories to ensure their safety as the city braces for an extended period of turbulent weather.