Hyderabad Rain September 17 | Widespread floods turn streets into rivers, people forced to evacuate

Hyderabad witnessed one of its heaviest spells of rainfall on Wednesday (September 17, 2025) evening, which continued late into the night and through the intervening hours of Thursday morning. The downpour caused widespread flooding, overwhelming drainage systems and leaving several streets transformed into rivers. One person died after he got trapped at the Balkampet underpass.

The intensity of the rain brought life to a standstill in multiple localities. In Ashok Nagar, a motorist was saved by a group of bystanders after his two-wheeler was dragged into the heavy flow. A similar scene unfolded in Krishnagar Colony, where a man walking with an umbrella slipped and fell into the heavy flow of water. He was nearly swept away but was rescued by alert residents who jumped into the flood to pull him out. In Lalaguda, several motorcycles were swept away, colliding with each other before getting stranded at one spot, resulting in extensive damage.

Heavy rain lashed Gachibowli area in Hyderabad on Wednesday (September 17, 2025)
| Photo Credit:
SIDDHANT THAKUR

Warasiguda flooded

Several underpasses were left severely inundated, including the Bible House underpass, forcing authorities to divert traffic at key stretches. In Warasiguda, rainwater entered homes, compelling families to evacuate. Local residents ensured that children were kept away from electrical poles to avoid accidents. Belongings, including wardrobes, were seen floating on the streets as floodwaters surged through the colony. Many houses were submerged, with residents climbing onto their terraces as a precaution. Local youths joined hands in carrying out rescue efforts to move people to safer ground.

One hour to cover 10 km

Traffic movement across the city was thrown out of gear. Gridlocks stretched well past midnight as vehicles struggled to pass through waterlogged stretches. Rakesh, a 29-year-old commuter, recounted his ordeal: “I was in Gachibowli at a friend’s place and deliberately avoided leaving during peak hours. My home is in Shaikpet, and I left Gachibowli at 11 p.m. thinking traffic would be lighter. To my shock, it still took me an hour to cover just 10 kilometres. Several areas were so inundated that only narrow stretches were usable, and I saw many vehicles stop midway after attempting to drive through deeper water.”

18.4 cm highest rainfall in 15 hours

According to data from the Telangana Development Planning Society (TGDPS), Hyderabad recorded extremely heavy rainfall within a span of 13 to 15 hours between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. The highest rainfall recorded in Hyderabad was 18.4 cm in Musheerabad followed by 14.7 cm in Chilkalguda, 14.6 cm in Begumpet, 14.4 cm in University of Hyderabad, 14 cm in Mettuguda, 13.5 cm in Bansilalpet, 13 cm in Miyapur, 12.8 cm in Secunderabad, 12.3 cm in Gachibowli, 11.5 cm in Khairatabad, 11.1 cm in Srinagar Colony, 10.9 cm in Maitrivanam, 10.8 cm in Shaikpet, 10.5 cm in Banjara Hills and 10.2 cm in Chandanagar.