Charminar, the four-century-old symbol of Hyderabad, which weathered many a calamity, once again stood the test of time.
The monument, built-in 1591, emerged unscathed in the incessant rains the area received in the current spell of monsoons. Because the Charminar area has recorded the highest rainfall in the current season that started in June 2020.
According to Rajat Kumar, principal secretary, TS Water Resources, Hyderabad city was affected by rains which were unprecedented over 100 years.” Hyderabad had witnessed more than 50 percent of the entire year’s rain within a week,” Rajat told media.
Such unexpected rains, he added, resulted in the overflowing of 185 tanks in and around the state capital.
From June 1 to October 20,200 Charminar has recorded cumulative rainfall of 1,417 mm against a normal of just 623 mm. According to the data collected by Telangana State development and Planning Society (TSDPS), the Charminar received as much as 528.6 mm in just 12 days.
It is true, the Charminar area falls in the high-rainfall zone of Hyderabad city. But, due to the incessant rainfall which the city has been receiving in the past 2 weeks, the area in Old City became topper in the rain chart of the city. The rains caused unprecedented flooding of the areas around the iconic monument.
Rajendra Nagar stands next to Charminar with a rainfall of 1,374 mm. The areas that received the highest rainfall are Asif Nagar (1,338 mm), Saroor Nagar(1,331 mm), Ameerpet (1,308mm).
According to TSPDS, as many as 30 localities in Hyderabad received rainfall of more than 1,000 mm. As of October 20, the city’s rainfall crossed the mark of 1,200 mm as against the normal of 656.2mm.T Rangareddy and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts, which form part of Hyderabad recorded 1130.7 mm and 1,176.8 mm rainfall respectively.