Meteorologists point to Hyderabad’s expanding urban sprawl, rocky terrain, and water bodies that create sharply localised conditions
India Meteorological Department (Image Credit: DC)
Hyderabad: In Hyderabad, weather forecasts are frequently wide of the mark. While parts of the city were battered by thunderstorms, others just a few kilometres away remain dry and sunny — leaving residents frustrated and weather apps struggling to keep up.
The discrepancy isn’t just anecdotal. Meteorologists point to Hyderabad’s expanding urban sprawl, rocky terrain, and water bodies that create sharply localised conditions. “Hyderabad has become a city of microclimates,” said a senior official from the India Meteorological Department(IMD). “It’s possible for a storm to drench Banjara Hills while Secunderabad stays dry.”
The city has 157 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) that collect data hourly, but experts say that’s still not enough for neighbourhood-level accuracy in a metropolis as large and topographically complex as Hyderabad. These stations track data every hour, aiming to capture localised conditions more accurately. But even that’s not always enough when rainfall behaves like it’ s picking favourites. A short drive can take one from a dry patch to waterlogged streets — something national and global weather apps have yet to map effectively.
Tuesday’s rain highlighted the problem. The IMD issued a forecast at 2.20 pm warning of moderate rain and thunderstorms till 4 pm in parts of Telangana, including Hyderabad. But scattered downpours were already sweeping parts of Manikonda, Narsingi, and Nanakramguda well before the alert. By the time the forecast reached many users, the rain had come and gone — or missed them entirely.
The result: growing distrust in apps, with many Hyderabadis turning instead to hyperlocal Telegram groups, local weather trackers, or even word-of-mouth from neighbours. Some rely on old-school observation — clouds over Gachibowli? Likely rain in Madhapur next. “It was sunny all day. I got drenched in five minutes,” said Ramya Rao, a commuter from Tolichowki.
“Now I just carry a small umbrella year-round. Hyderabad doesn’t believe in forecast discipline.” And it’s not just an inconvenience. Unreliable forecasts can affect traffic, school pickups, deliveries, and even outdoor events.
Adding to the concern is climate change. IMD scientists note that Telangana now receives most of its rainfall in brief, intense bursts. These events are harder to predict and more disruptive. “The pattern of rain has changed. There are fewer rainy days, but more extreme events,” said the official.
Until weather tech catches up, residents are learning to live with a certain degree of unpredictability — and the habit of carrying an umbrella, just in case.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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