The Punjagutta flyover, a busy flyover connecting Begumpet and several parts of the city, flooded for the third time in three years during heavy rains that pounded the city on Wednesday evening. Rush-hour traffic from Jubilee Hills, Madhapur, Banjara Hills came to a standstill as about two-feet of water on the flyover created a nightmarish commute for motorists around 6.30pm.
The flooding and traffic continued until Punjagutta traffic inspector and two other constables managed to clear the flyover's drains, allowing the water to recede. Punjagutta Inspector, M Ravi told TNM, “Rain water of about 2 feet was logged on the flyover. We had to struggle to find the drains using bamboo sticks and unclogged them. Because of the negligence of the GHMC workers, the water had logged on the flyover.”
Police blamed Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) workers for not silting the drains prior to the downpour. The inspector added that traffic was clear within 20 minutes.
Hyderabad traffic police also shared a video of the incident on Twitter. While several commended the efforts of the police for their service, others slammed the GHMC authorities and criticised at the flawed engineering of the flyover.
The flyover also saw major flooding during rains in 2017 and 2016.
“One short spell of rain and this is what happens to roads. Every year same thing happens and you people never care to solve. You all are useless people! (sic), wrote a Twitter user.
Shame on you @GHMCOnline @CommissionrGHMC @bonthurammohan
— Intellectual Kshatriya (@Intel_Kshatriya) September 25, 2019
One short spell of rain and this is what happens to roads. Every year same thing happens and you people never care to solve.
You all are useless people!
“A flyover holding water and a poor cop helping traffic. What else could be ridiculous engineering than this ?How in the world can this happen ? Where are the contractors and engineers who certified ?” wrote another Twitter user.
A flyover holding water and a poor cop helping traffic. What else could be ridiculous engineering than this ?How in the world can this happen ? Where are the contractors and engineers who certified ? @KTRTRS plz have a look at the marvelous engineering.
— krishna prasanth (@reifsniderkrish) September 25, 2019
“What is Planning division of GHMC doing ? This is the scene every year,” remarked another resident.
What is Planning division of GHMC doing ? This is the scene every year
— Ravithesungod ( 拉维) (@ravishendarkar) September 25, 2019
Telangana has been witnessing heavy rainfall over the past two days. On Wednesday, Aswaraopeta in Kothagudem district received the highest rainfall recorded at 11 cm, while Hyderabad recorded 8 cm of rainfall, according to Indian Meteorological Department.