Hyderabad: The strongest winds yet over the past week of thundershowers uprooted 17 trees and triggered blackouts in several parts of the city on Wednesday. Some areas in Sainikpuri experienced a hailstorm.
The Met department which recorded 6.6 mm of rain said the city was in the grip of intense thunderstorm activity. Though the maximum temperature was recorded at 40.6ºC, the city cooled down in the evening following wind and rain.
A tree was uprooted on the MG Road between Ramgopalpet police station and the Ranijung railway bridge at 5.30 pm, slowing down traffic at peak hours. Traffic was diverted via Minister Road and Necklace Road. The tree had to be chopped and moved out of the way, using a crane.
A tree fell on the Ashoknagar-Musheera-bad road, and another at Masab Tank. As of 9 pm, GHMC personnel were still clearing the trees. The wind also left windowpanes broken on many buildings.
Several places lost power at 5 pm and many areas were still in the dark at 9.30 pm. Severe water-logging was reported at Masab Tank, NMDC, Galaxy at Shaikpet.
Massive traffic jams were witnessed at all important junctions, Traffic police had to clear obstructions on the roads near RTC crossroads, Musheerabad, Banjara Hills and Masab Tank.
Corporate employee Priyanka Kavidi said, “It took an hour to cross the three flyovers at Begumpet airport, Paradise and Patny/ We had to halt for more than 20 minutes at the Paradise flyover. “
IMD-Hyderabad assistant meteorologist M. Narsimha Rao said, “Telangana state is experiencing southerly winds from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. The present weather condition is a summer phenomenon.”
He said thunderstorms occur due to the formation of cumulonimbus cloud which happens during the afternoon and the impact is felt towards the evening and night.
Thunderstorm includes gusty winds, lightning and hail accompanied with rain. He said sometimes the wind speed may reach 100 kmph. Many areas witnessed heavy spells of rain for about 30 to 45 minutes. In Telangana, all the 10 districts witnessed thunderstorm activity. The weather pattern will continue for another 4-5 days, he said.
