Hyderabad, Aug. 7 -- With heavy rains lashing the city on Thursday and more downpours expected in the next 24 hours, GHMC mayor Gadwal Vijaylakshmi has asked citizens to not venture out of homes except for emergencies.

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) mayor also asked GHMC officials to be on alert in the wake of the weather department's warnings for heavy rain. The Indian Meteorological Department's (IMD) has issued an advance warning that heavy rains will occur in the Greater Hyderabad limits from Thursday, August 8, evening till the next morning.

Vijayalakshmi held a teleconference with all GHMC zonal commissioners, senior officials of GHMC departments, and deputy commissioners on Thursday evening.

The GHMC mayor al...