Heavy rains lash on Wednesday morning caused water logging in many areas and massive traffic jams in Hyderabad, Delhi and Gurgaon. 5cm to 7cm rain recorded in parts of Hyderabad.

Officials advised people to stay indoors. Hyderabad GHMC Commissioner instructed sanitary staff to clear catch pits of plastic, silt; manholes and requested citizens to allow space for municipal, emergency teams to work.

City administration has given permission to come one hour late to offices to avoid unforseen incidents due to heavy rains. GHMC Commissioner Janardhan Reddy requested people to avoid going out unless absolutely necessary as roads are all waterlogged and vehicles are stuck in traffic jams. He appealed to citizens except municipal employees and other Emergency teams, not to travel for one hour in the city. He is also expected to meet with chief secretary to review the situation.

“The sky will be generally cloudy throughout the day,” an official of the India Meteorological Department said.

Massive jams have been reported from major roads in Delhi and between the capital and Gurgaon, where the police had warned people in a tweet to be "patient and disciplined" and "stick to lanes".

US Secretary of State John Kerry's visits to religious sites in Delhi were cancelled due to heavy rain. Mr Kerry was caught in traffic while being taken from the airport to his hotel in Delhi.

At least four persons including a five-year-old died in Hyderabad due to heavy rains. In first incident a wall of an under-construction building collapsed killing two labourers and a woman while in another incident a five-year-old boy died when a wall fell in Ramanathpur area.

All major roads in Hyderabad including Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills, Madhapur, Gachibowli, IT Corridor, Somajuguda, Begumpet witnessed huge traffic jams due to water logging. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has sent SMS alerts to people to avoid using roads till the water recedes.

Also Read: Heavy Rains in Districts in Telangana

BY M.DIVYA SRI