Unrelenting rainfall across Telangana has caused severe disruption to transport as the Hyderabad-Nagpur National Highway (NH44) was rendered unusable due to flooding and road damage in Kamareddy district. Authorities have enforced large-scale traffic diversions, impacting both heavy and light vehicles, in an effort to maintain public safety and keep essential movement uninterrupted.
The stretch between Kamareddy, Dichpally, and Armoor has been the worst affected, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded since mid-week. Officials said that heavy downpours triggered flooding and erosion, making the highway unsafe for traffic. This disruption has put immense strain on long-distance travellers and freight carriers, with fresh produce and perishable goods being left to rot in stationary trucks. Police officials confirmed that heavy vehicles travelling from Hyderabad to Adilabad are now being rerouted through Siddipet and Karimnagar, while light vehicles are being diverted from Toopran via alternative arterial roads. Nirmal Police have also issued diversions for vehicles approaching Hyderabad from Adilabad, creating an extended travel route through interior towns.
The diversions, while critical for safety, have led to severe congestion on smaller regional roads. Motorists have expressed frustration as journey times have more than doubled, while the lack of roadside facilities has worsened conditions for stranded truck drivers. Reports of drivers and passengers relying on local food stalls and voluntary groups for basic meals highlight the humanitarian dimensions of the disruption. Officials overseeing the situation have acknowledged the unprecedented scale of the flooding, attributing it to climate volatility and unseasonal downpours. Emergency teams, including highway patrol units, have been deployed along diversion points to manage traffic flow and assist travellers. Public announcements continue to urge commuters to avoid unnecessary travel and follow diversion advisories strictly.
The administration has also directed district teams to begin on-site inspections, relocate residents of flood-hit homes, and restore sanitation measures in submerged localities to prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases. While road restoration efforts are underway, experts suggest that full recovery of the damaged NH44 section may take several days, depending on weather conditions. This closure underlines the vulnerability of major transport corridors to extreme weather events, raising questions about the resilience of critical infrastructure in the face of climate change. For commuters, the prolonged closures have exposed the pressing need for climate-resilient highways and stronger disaster preparedness in rapidly urbanising regions like Telangana.
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