Hyderabad Flyover Submerged After Torrential Rain: Gachibowli Flooded, Traffic in Chaos

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Hyderabad, India – July 20, 2025: Torrential rains battered Hyderabad over the weekend, leading to severe flooding across multiple areas, including the IT hub of Gachibowli. The downpour, which began late Friday night and continued into Saturday, caused massive waterlogging, leaving vehicles stranded and commuters helpless.

One of the most alarming developments was the submergence of a major flyover in the Gachibowli area. Visuals circulated on social media showed water flowing like a river over the elevated road, with cars partially submerged and people wading through waist-deep water. Residents and commuters described the scene as “unprecedented” and “chaotic,” calling for urgent intervention from civic authorities.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Hyderabad received over 120 mm of rainfall in just a few hours, marking one of the heaviest rainfalls this monsoon season. The city’s drainage systems were overwhelmed, especially in low-lying areas such as Gachibowli, Madhapur, and Kondapur.

Traffic across Hyderabad came to a near standstill. With roads submerged and traffic signals non-functional due to power outages, vehicles were stuck in jams that lasted for hours. Public transportation, including buses and cabs, was severely affected. In some areas, emergency services struggled to reach stranded individuals due to impassable roads.

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) dispatched emergency teams to pump out water and clear blocked drains. However, officials admitted that the city’s existing infrastructure is not equipped to handle such extreme rainfall. “The volume of rain in such a short period overwhelmed the stormwater drains. We are deploying additional personnel and machinery to restore normalcy,” said a GHMC spokesperson.

Several IT companies in the Gachibowli and HITEC City areas allowed employees to work from home due to the dangerous commuting conditions. Schools and colleges announced closures, while some scheduled exams were postponed.

Local residents expressed frustration at the recurring issue of flooding despite repeated assurances of better infrastructure. “Every year it’s the same story. It rains heavily, roads flood, and we suffer. Why haven’t the authorities found a long-term solution yet?” said Anusha Reddy, a resident of Gachibowli.

Experts point to rapid urbanization and poor planning as key reasons for the city’s vulnerability to flooding. “Construction over natural water bodies, encroachments on stormwater drains, and lack of green spaces have worsened the impact of heavy rains,” said urban planner Dr. S. Ravi.

The Telangana state government has ordered a review of flood preparedness and promised long-term infrastructure upgrades. In the immediate term, disaster response teams are on alert, and citizens are advised to avoid non-essential travel.

As Hyderabad continues to grapple with the aftermath of the torrential rains, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for resilient urban planning in the face of increasingly extreme weather patterns.