HYDERABAD, July 6: Civic life came to a halt in Hyderabad on Sunday morning as rain lashed the city and its adjoining towns.

The rain, which began at around 8am, continued uninterrupted till 4pm, leading to accumulation of water, choking of drainage and sewerage lines and prolonged power breakdowns, that also resulted in water shortage in many areas. Power supply to several localities could not be restored till the filing of this report at 8pm.

Supply of electricity was suspended from Qasimabad, Hala Road, Site and other grid stations as soon as the rain began.

The rain brought a pleasant change in weather, breaking the heat spell that had gripped the city for more than one week.

Several groups of youths left for Ranibagh and Al-Manzar to swim in the River Indus which was getting a good quantity of water.

Shops in the main bazaars of the city remained closed.

No one was available at the Met office to tell how much rain was recorded.

Drainage water entered shops and accumulated on the Gulshan-i-Hali Road after a portion of a wall of a drain collapsed. A temporary wall was later raised.

Knee-deep water had accumulated in Hyder Chowk, Qadam Gah Maula Ali, New Cloth Market, Bacha Khan Chowk and Tulsi Das Road areas as sewerage and drainage lines were overflowing. Rainwater also accumulated in low-lying areas of Latifabad.

Latifabad Taluka Nazim Abdul Jabbar Khan said water was standing on the main roads but the situation was under control in areas, particularity in union council-7 and 8, which were considered as vulnerable. The drainage line of the UCs, located in Latifabad-11, had burst few days back with the result that drainage water entered homes.

Mr Khan feared that a vast area of the Hali Road would be submerged if immediate remedial measures were not ensured.

Hesco sub-divisions continued to receive complaints from consumers as the city witnessed a massive power breakdown. The power suspension is likely to create shortage of water.

Supply of electricity to water works of the main filter plant of the Hyderabad Development Authority — Fatima Jinnah Road, Pucca Qilla, Paretabad and Hala Naka — was suspended in the morning and could not be restored.

However, Hesco authorities claimed that out of nine grid stations that fed Hyderabad’s three talukas, one grid station was affected and power supply remained suspended for only three hours.

A spokesman for Hesco told this correspondent on telephone that out of 75 lines, 60 per cent lines had been restored. He said out of 108 in Sindh, power interruption was reported from 20 grid stations and only two grid stations, Sujawal and Ladion, were closed.

Water and Sanitation Authority managing director M. Tahir said there would be severe water shortage in the city. He said 50 per cent supply of drinking water could be ensured in the coming days on account of power suspension. Reports said telephone lines in some areas also remained out of order.