“It is our job to make way for motorists. So we do not wait for rescue operations to be carried out by other departments,” said a police official.
Traffic snarls, flooded streets, and uprooted trees are a given every time Hyderabad witnesses a downpour. But for the staff of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and the traffic police, it’s often a thankless job - going to the extra mile to ease traffic by opening sewer lids to drain rainwater, clearing trees etc.
On Thursday, the Hyderabad traffic police rose to the occasion when heavy rains lashed the city, uprooting trees, electric poles, and resulting in water stagnation.
The thunderstorm led to traffic jams at several places. However, the city police promptly pressed in their staff to clear trees and drain the rain water.
The department also shared photos of the work done by them to clear the traffic on social media with #HYDTPweCareForU, which earned them appreciation from netizens.
Appreciating the efforts, one twitter user, Praveen, wrote, “You guys are always there for us. Very proud of you. Our municipality employees should learn from you.”
You guys are always there for us. Very proud of you.
Our municipality employees should learn from you.
— Praveen Kumar G (@PKumarG) May 3, 2018
“My sincere appreciations to all the officers and cops who spontaneously acted and took great care. Thanks once again. My salute to you Sirs. (sic), wrote another user, Vikrantt Mohan.
My sincere appreciations to all the officers and cops who spontaneously acted and took great care. Thanks once again. My salute to you Sirs.
— Vikrantt Mohan (@vikranttmohan) May 3, 2018
“Hyderabad Police is always at its best. Great Job sir(s).”
Hyderabad Police is always at its best. Great Job sir(s).
— PEOPLE VOICE....... (@suno_awaaz) May 3, 2018
Speaking to TNM, Additional Commissioner of Hyderabad Traffic police, Anil Kumar said, “It is our duty to clear the traffic and ensure that the motorists don’t suffer. So we don’t wait for other departments like the GHMC to send their teams. Before the crisis escalates we try to decongest the roads. If there is a likelihood that it may rain, we alert all the officials to equip themselves to tackle the crisis.”
On being asked why the traffic police are instructed to do jobs which the staff of GHMC has to do, he said, “Ultimately, it is our job to make way for motorists. So we do not wait for rescue operations to be carried out by other departments.”
#HYDTPweCareForU Heavy downpour of rain, trees and hoardings fallen down on roads and caused traffic jams. Sri. K. Babu Rao, DCP Tr-II and Sri. Koteshwar Rao, ACP-III plunged into action immediately, removed fallen branches and hoardings n normalised the flow of Tr @AddlCPTrHyd pic.twitter.com/BFgTXfyk0I
— HYDTP (@HYDTP) May 3, 2018
#HYDTPweCareForU Heavy downpour of rain, trees fallen down n water logged at many places on roads caused Tr jams Tr Cops of Falaknuma and Kachiguda plunged into action immediately Removed obstructions at Manholes n fallen branches n normalised the flow of Tr @AddlCPTrHyd pic.twitter.com/muBnAHHZCn
— HYDTP (@HYDTP) May 3, 2018
#HYDTPweCareForU Heavy downpour of rain, tree fallen down accidentally on an Auto at High Court Road caused Tr Jam, Immediately Charminar Tr Cops removed the tree and restored Tr on High Court Rd. @AddlCPTrHyd pic.twitter.com/Bc5uczJnPf
— HYDTP (@HYDTP) May 3, 2018
On Thursday, hailstorm were witnessed in few areas like Secunderabad, Musheerabad etc. According to the GHMC, Uppal recorded the highest rainfall of 43.5 mm, followed by Bandlaguda at 43 mm. The lowest rainfall was recorded in Nampally with 22 mm. The Indian Meteorology Department has also issued a weather warning of thunderstorm across the state for the next two days.