Hyderabad: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has granted conditional approval to the State government to conduct its Cabinet meeting, which is now scheduled for 3 PM on Monday. Chief Secretary A Santhi Kumari issued orders in this regard on Sunday.

However, the ECI specified that discussions on the crop loan waiver and the common capital of Hyderabad are prohibited. In a letter to Chief Electoral Officer Vikas Raj, the ECI stated that the meeting could only address matters of an urgent nature that require immediate implementation.

“The Cabinet meeting may only take up matters which are emergent and urgent and cannot wait till June 4. Accordingly, the agenda items regarding the issue of common capital of Hyderabad and crop loan waiver should be deferred till completion of Lok Sabha elections in the State,” the ECI said. Additionally, officials involved in the conduct of the election should not attend the meeting.

The Cabinet meeting, initially scheduled for Saturday, was postponed due to the absence of ECI permission. With the election code in effect, the State government had earlier requested the ECI to permit the meeting, but there was no response until Saturday evening. The earlier agenda included discussions on the crop loan waiver, paddy procurement, planning for the Kharif season, and other farmer-related issues. Additionally, arrangements for Telangana Formation Day on June 2, pending projects under the AP Reorganisation Act, and other matters were to be discussed.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy decided to convene the meeting immediately following the ECI’s approval. “If permission is not accorded by Monday, the Cabinet will approach the Election Commission in New Delhi and seek permission,” Revanth Reddy had said on Saturday. The ECI granted the conditional approval on Sunday.

Tandur: Tragedy struck Yalal Mandal this afternoon as three individuals lost their lives in separate lightning strike incidents following light to heavy rain accompanied by thunder.

In the first incident, Venkatiya (62), a farmer from Mouza Banur, was working in his field with his wife Elman when a sudden thunderstorm hit. Venkatiya was killed instantly by a lightning strike, while his wife, who was nearby, remained unharmed.

In another incident, Lakshmiya (52), a farmer from Juntupally, was harvesting his crop with Srinivas (27) and other laborers when they were struck by lightning. Both Lakshmiya and Srinivas died on the spot.

The deaths of these three individuals have caused widespread panic in Yalal Mandal. Upon receiving information about the incidents, Yalal police visited both locations. After completing necessary documentation and panchnama, the bodies were taken to the Government District Hospital in Tandur for post-mortem examinations.

Watch the videos to see the conditions across different parts of Hyderabad city.

Hyderabad experienced heavy rainfall on Thursday, disrupting daily life. A drain’s slab collapsed in Banjara Hills, leading to waterlogging and traffic issues. The highest rainfall was recorded in Yousufguda (51.3 mm). Chief Minister Revanth Reddy instructed officials to address the inconvenience caused by the downpour. GHMC Mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi visited the affected area, and Commissioner Rose alerted field personnel to drain water from roads and advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel.

Normal life was thrown out of gear as rain lashed Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana Thursday evening.

The slab of a ‘naala’ (drain) broke at Banjara Hills in the city following the rain, leading to some two-wheelers being washed away, according to official sources.

According to the Telangana State Development Planning Society (TSDPS), Yousufguda in the city received the highest amount of rainfall of 51.3 mm, followed by 48 mm at the Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS).

The rainfall led to waterlogging on the roads at some places in the city and traffic snarls.

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Mayor Vijaya Laxmi R Gadwal visited Uday Nagar in Banjara Hills, where the slab of the ‘naala’ broke, the sources said.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, who spoke to officials from the Secretariat, directed them to take measures to ensure citizens don’t face inconvenience.

GHMC Commissioner Ronald Rose asked the officials to alert field personnel and ensure measures to drain out water from the roads are taken.

He urged citizens to come out only if there is any emergency, an official release said.