A heavy spell of rain on Friday (July 18, 2025) afternoon triggered a wave of destruction across Hyderabad, inundating homes, disrupting daily life, and prompting emergency evacuations in multiple areas. As the city recorded an average rainfall of 10 cm, visuals of flooded colonies and submerged roads once again highlighted the city’s vulnerability to even short bursts of intense precipitation.

By 5 p.m., Hussainsagar Lake, the city’s iconic but flood-prone waterbody, was reportedly inching towards its Full Tank Level (FTL) of 513.41 metres, raising alarms for the adjoining low-lying areas.

⚠️ Homes Flooded, Wall Collapses Reported

• In the Barkas area of the old city, a boundary wall collapsed at approximately 4:20 p.m., moments after a car passed by. While no injuries were reported, the incident highlighted the fragile state of infrastructure in several parts of the city.

• In Padma Colony, Nallakunta, three families had to be evacuated after floodwater gushed into their homes, submerging the ground floor and damaging property.

• Similarly, Paigah Colony in Secunderabad and Chinmaya Marg in Mirjalguda witnessed heavy waterlogging, with videos surfacing of residents trapped inside waist-deep water.

In many colonies, electricity supply was cut off as a precautionary measure. Locals complained of delayed response from civic authorities, especially in Secunderabad where overflowing drains aggravated the flooding.

📸 Scenes of Chaos Across the City

From Musheerabad to Mehdipatnam, traffic moved at a snail’s pace as roads disappeared under sheets of rain. GHMC (Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation) teams were seen trying to clear clogged drains and assist in evacuations. Residents of Chaderghat, Malkajgiri, and Banjara Hills reported water entering basements and ground floors.

“Every monsoon, we suffer the same fate. Despite repeated complaints, nothing changes,” said Ramesh Rao, a resident of Chinmaya Marg, whose house was flooded for the third year in a row.

🛑 Drainage Woes and Urban Mismanagement

Urban experts say poor drainage planning, coupled with unchecked urban construction, is largely responsible for Hyderabad’s recurring flood woes.

“The city’s natural drainage systems have been disrupted due to encroachments and unregulated construction. Unless the government takes firm steps to restore stormwater pathways, these events will only become more frequent,” warned Dr. Asha Krishnamurthy, an urban hydrologist.

The GHMC's Strategic Nala Development Programme (SNDP), launched in 2021, has seen slow implementation and budgetary delays, which critics say have left several vulnerable localities unprotected.

📞 Government and CM Step In

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, in a late-evening briefing, directed all civic and disaster response teams to remain on high alert.

He emphasized:

• Immediate response to public complaints

• Full coordination between GHMC, police, electricity, and irrigation departments

• Deployment of NDRF teams where required

• Continuous monitoring of Hussainsagar water levels

“The government is committed to ensuring safety of citizens. All teams must act promptly. There should be no delays in evacuation, assistance, or relief,” CM Reddy said.

Control rooms have been activated across all GHMC zones, and boats have been kept ready in flood-prone belts.

🧹 Cleanup, Power Restoration Underway

As the rain subsided late Friday night, cleanup operations began, focusing on removing debris from collapsed walls, pumping out water from flooded homes, and restoring power lines in affected areas.

GHMC workers also cleared dozens of fallen trees, which had blocked roads and disrupted local transport.

In Padma Colony, mobile medical teams were deployed to address sanitation and health concerns arising from water stagnation.

🧭 The Road Ahead

As per the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Hyderabad may witness intermittent showers over the weekend, with another heavy spell possible on Monday. Low-lying areas remain under watch.

Urban planners are urging the state to invest in:

• Modern underground drainage systems

• Regular desilting of nalas and lakes

• Satellite-based flood prediction models

• Strict enforcement of construction codes near water bodies

🏁 Conclusion

The Friday downpour is just the latest reminder of Hyderabad’s crumbling urban resilience. For many families in Secunderabad, Nallakunta, and Mirjalguda, it's yet another year of property loss, trauma, and uncertainty.

Unless permanent measures are taken, rain will continue to translate into risk, and Hyderabad’s growth story will remain marred by avoidable urban failures.

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