Hyderabad, Sept. 28 -- Torrential rains lashed Hyderabad and adjoining Ranga Reddy and Vikarabad districts on Saturday, triggering heavy floods in the Musi River catchment areas and paralysing life across the capital city, officials said.

According to officials, the twin reservoirs - Himayat Sagar and Osman Sagar - on the outskirts of Hyderabad, were almost filled to the brim, forcing authorities to release nearly 35,000 cusecs of water, for the first time in the last two decades. The sudden release of water swelled the Musi River, inundating several low-lying settlements.

The service road of Nehru Outer Ring Road between Narsingi and Manchirevula was completely cut off due to massive flood flow from Himayatsagar, officials said.

"Four...