HYDERABAD, Aug 23: At least four people died in Latifabad and Hussainabad as rain lashed the city for the third day on Thursday, while an official of the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company was attacked by a mob protesting suspension of power supply for 36 hours in an area.
Hussainabad police said Badshahzadi, 40, and her niece Shahzadi, 15, of GOR Colony drowned in the river, while their relative Kiran was saved. They said policemen deployed at the spot had tried to prevent them from going towards the river bank but they reached it.
Shahmir, 12, and his seven-year-old sister Sahar died of electrocution in Iqbal Colony, Latifabad. Their father Hamid Hussain said they had touched a water pumping machine’s pipe in the street while playing. They were taken to Bhittai Hospital where they were pronounced dead.
A team of Hesco officials led by Liaquat Colony SDO Abdul Hameed was attacked by a mob protesting against lack of electricity supply in Quaidabad and Plot No.36 area in Liaquat Colony.
Union Council Nazim of the area Younus Rajput said the area had been without electricity for 36 hours.
He alleged that after the incident the SDO had closed the remaining feeders of the area, plunging it into darkness. He said he had talked to the official but he was adamant to lodge a case. He said the residents of the area were also without water because of the suspension of power supply but Hesco officials were not paying attention to their complaints.
The SDO said his vehicle was attacked and damaged by the mob and an employee, Akram, was injured after being hit by a stone. He said he had approached the Sakhi Pir police for lodging an FIR.
However, Sakhi Pir SHO Rao Nazim said the matter had been amicably settled.
Heavy rain resumed on Thursday evening and was continuing with short intervals.
Hundreds of people were stuck in traffic jams, especially on Shah Makki, Fatima Jinnah, Qadam Gah Maula Ali, New Cloth Market and Auto Bhan roads. Police failed to regulate the traffic.
Rainwater accumulated in low areas of Ilyasabad, Pinjra Pole, Liaquat Colony, Quaidabad, Noorani Basti and units 2,8,9 and 11 of Latifabad.
Water and Sanitation Agency officials said pumping stations were working to dispose of the water. Shopkeepers blocked a section of the Shah Makki Road in protest against accumulation of water. They burnt tyres on the road before police opened it.
The meteorological office at the airport recorded 53mm of rain, while the city office recorded 25.2mm. The minimum temperature dropped to 26 degrees Celsius with maximum temperature recorded at 35 degrees.
