Hyderabad experienced heavy rain and hailstorm on March 24, 2026, leading to significant traffic congestion and fuel panic buying.
On March 24, 2026, heavy rain and a hailstorm affected several parts of Hyderabad, coinciding with peak evening hours and leading to severe traffic congestion across the city. Commuters reported long queues of vehicles, particularly in the IT corridor around Gachibowli and Biodiversity Junction.
Hyderabad District Collector Hari Chandana Dasari reassured residents on March 25 that there is no fuel shortage in the district. All 181 petrol pumps in Hyderabad are fully operational and adequately stocked, despite the panic buying that ensued.
For the third consecutive day, panic buying at fuel stations continued on March 26, 2026. The situation at these stations began to improve in the afternoon, alleviating some concerns among residents.
However, LPG auto drivers faced difficulties in obtaining fuel on March 26, with reports of long waits. One driver, Mr. Nawaz, shared his experience, stating, “This line extends all the way to the railway line in Balkampet. We did not sleep, only had water. We will start taking rides after catching up with some sleep.”
The downpour on March 24 exacerbated traffic conditions, as it coincided with the time when many commuters were heading home from work.
Authorities are monitoring the situation closely to ensure that fuel supplies remain steady and that traffic conditions improve. Observers expect that as the weather stabilizes, the panic buying will subside, allowing normalcy to return to the city.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any long-term impacts of the storm on local infrastructure or the economy, but the immediate concerns of residents have been addressed by local officials.
