Sudden rains lash Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: Heavy showers lashed the city on Thursday evening bringing traffic to a standstill in many places across the city including Banjara Hills, Mehdipatnam, Towlichowki and Nampally among others.
Vehicular movement in Banjara Hills, Begumpet, Secunderabad and Masab Tank was affected while in some areas, puddles were formed as the GHMC is yet to repair large stretches which were pounded by heavy rains.
Rise in day temperature triggered formation of thunderclouds over the city which is likely to continue for this month, said met officials. "As the maximum temperature nearly touched 33 degree Celsius during the day, it triggered formation of thunderclouds," an official said. The maximum recorded temperature was 32.6 degrees on Thursday, which officials said was two degrees above normal.
Many denizens were caught in the downpour. "Though there was a drizzle in the afternoon, we did not anticipate that it would rain," said Bhavani Avinash, a techie, who was returning home from work, but had to halt near Punjagutta owing to traffic snarls.
The met officials said that the maximum temperature forecast for Friday was 33 degree celsius and that temperatures are not likely to plummet. Weather is likely to remain cloudy with thunderclouds in the evening.
"I was travelling to Bellary for work. When I set out from my house, it was pretty humid. However, within minutes, I got drenched as the rain were accompanied by strong winds," said one Subhra Chakraborty, who was on his way to the Hyderabad railway station at Nampally.
The city received 8.4 mm rainfall till 8.30 pm on Thursday, although it continued to drizzle in many parts of the city.