Heavy rain and a hailstorm affected several parts of Hyderabad on March 24, 2026, coinciding with peak evening hours, which exacerbated traffic congestion across the city.
Commuters reported long queues of vehicles, particularly in the IT corridor around Gachibowli and Biodiversity Junction, as the downpour created hazardous driving conditions.
Hyderabad District Collector Hari Chandana Dasari assured residents on March 25 that there was no fuel shortage in the district, stating that all 181 petrol pumps were fully operational and adequately stocked.
Despite these assurances, panic buying at fuel stations persisted for the third consecutive day, with many residents rushing to fill their tanks amid fears of potential shortages.
The situation at fuel stations began to improve in the afternoon of March 26, 2026, as the initial rush subsided, although LPG auto drivers continued to face difficulties in obtaining fuel.
One driver, Mr. Nawaz, expressed the frustration of waiting in line, stating, “This line extends all the way to railway line in Balkampet. We did not sleep, only had water. We will start taking rides after catching up with some sleep.”
The heavy rain on March 24 not only caused traffic disruptions but also raised concerns about the overall readiness of the city to handle such weather events.
Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, and while fuel supplies are stable, the ongoing panic buying highlights the anxiety among residents.
As the weather clears, observers are keen to see how quickly normalcy returns to transportation and fuel distribution in Hyderabad.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential long-term impacts of the storm on local infrastructure and services.
