Markets fall in early trade amid rising crude oil prices

A pedestrian holds an umbrella as she crosses the rain-slicked road amid heavy rainfall in Kolkata | The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the depression over coastal West Bengal and northwest Bay of Bengal is likely to move towards Jharkhand across Gangetic West Bengal by Tuesday (August 18).Haldia in Purba Medinipur district recorded the maximum rainfall of 134 mm in 24 hours till 8.30 a.m. on Monday (August 17). The coastal town of Digha received 113 mm of rain, while Diamond Harbour in South 24 Parganas district recorded 112 mm of rainfall during the same period.Owing to incessant rain since last night (August 16), many thoroughfares in Kolkata and its adjoining Salt Lake and Howrah got waterlogged.Schoolchildren and office-goers faced difficulties commuting in the morning amid reduced public transport and traffic snarls on the first working day of this week.The IMD has forecast extremely heavy rainfall in Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram and Bankura districts on Monday (August 17), while very heavy downpour will occur over Purba Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Purulia, Howrah, Hooghly, Purba and Paschim Bardhaman. Published - August 17, 2026 12:53 pm IST

One-way route map around KBR Park. | To tackle the gridlock, traffic around the park will be made one-way from Tuesday (August 18) as work begins on the ₹1,090-crore H-CITI project.The corridor’s second busiest point is the KBR Park Entrance stretch, which handles 13,516 PCU/hr. Maharaja Agrasen Junction sees 10,356 PCU/hr, while Road No. 45 and Film Nagar handle 9,966 and 9,605 PCU/hr respectively. Even the Basavatarakam Cancer Hospital Junction sees 5,880 PCU/hr during peak periods.Under H-CITI, seven steel flyovers and seven directional underpasses will be built at seven key junctions at an estimated cost of ₹1,090 crore. The project is expected to be completed in 24 months.For commuters, however, the first change will not be a flyover or an underpass but a new one-way circulation around KBR Park.From August 18, commuters will have to follow the designated direction of traffic, using marked lane-change and U-turn points instead of several of the existing turning movements. The traffic plan has identified 10 such points and 13 designated exits around the park.The lane-change and U-turn points are located at TG Study Circle, BRS Bhavan, Omega Hospital, Jana Reddy, Apollo Cradle, Taj Mahal, Phoenix Building, Road No. 65, Mantri Towers and Cream Stone.There are also designated exits towards Road No. 14, Nandi Nagar, Road No. 10 and Zaheer Nagar, New World, Agrasen Island and Road No. 12, Omega Hospital and Lotus Pond, TTD Temple Road, BVB Junction and Film Nagar, Journalist Colony, Road No. 45, Road No. 36 and Peddamma Temple, Annapurna Studio by-lane and NTR Bhavan. The arrangement is intended to keep vehicles moving around the park while construction is taken up at the junctions.The H-CITI works have been divided into two packages. The first covers Jubilee Hills Check Post, KBR Park Entrance and Mughdha Junction.At KBR Park Entrance, a 330-metre underpass and a 900-metre steel flyover are planned, while Mughdha Junction will get a 260-metre underpass.Jubilee Hills Check Post will get three structures, including a 740-metre Y-shaped underpass and two steel flyovers measuring 745 metres and 770 metres.The second package covers Road No. 45, Film Nagar, Maharaja Agrasen and Basavatarakam Cancer Hospital junctions. Four underpasses and four steel flyovers will be built at these locations to separate straight-moving traffic from turning traffic.Hyderabad City Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar said the one-way plan was finalised after detailed traffic studies, two rounds of trial runs and consultations with the GHMC.The police have also been consulting residents, morning walkers and resident welfare associations around KBR Park, with the traffic plan to be modified wherever necessary based on ground-level requirements.According to Hyderabad Police Commissioner Sajjanar, the completed structures are expected to resolve traffic issues at several junctions and reduce bottlenecks at Jubilee Hills Check Post by about 80%. The project is also expected to cut fuel consumption and carbon emissions by reducing prolonged vehicle idling at signals. Published - August 16, 2026 09:57 pm IST

A view of TIMS Sanathnagar in Hyderabad, which opened for a month-long trial run. File | G For anyone travelling from SR Nagar towards Erragadda in Hyderabad, the massive government hospital rising along the Sanathnagar stretch is hard to miss. The Marri Chenna Reddy Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences (MCR TIMS), Sanathnagar, is now ready to open its doors, with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is scheduled to inaugurate the facility on Monday (August 17, 2026).With 1,082 beds, the hospital is the biggest tertiary-care government hospital constructed in Telangana since the formation of the State in 2014, marking a major expansion of the public healthcare infrastructure in Hyderabad. It has been conceived as a Centre of Excellence for cardiac, renal, transplant and trauma sciences.The project received administrative sanction on April 21, 2022, and its foundation stone was laid five days later, on April 26. The construction contract was subsequently awarded to Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd. (MEIL), with a stipulated completion period of two months plus 24 months.Actual construction commenced on February 8, 2023. By December 7 that year, work worth ₹120.89 crore had been carried out, with the project recording 13.14% physical and financial progress. The remaining work was taken up subsequently and the project has since moved towards completion, a senior official said.Spread across 53.30 acres, the MCR TIMS Sanathnagar has a built-up area of 11.68 lakh sq ft and a project value of ₹1,126 crore. The hospital will have 1,082 beds, including 300 ICU beds, 400 general beds, 88 emergency beds, 30 dialysis beds and 264 beds under medical tourism, employees and pensioners and other categories.The emergency block will account for 388 beds and include 15 major operating theatres, as well as trauma and neuro critical-care facilities. The outpatient block will have 350 beds, with cath labs, general wards and diagnostic and intervention facilities, including endoscopy and bronchoscopy rooms, radiation oncology and nuclear medicine services. The inpatient block will have another 300 beds.The hospital is designed to bring advanced medical services under one roof. Its key specialities include cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, vascular surgery, nephrology, urology, dialysis, organ transplantation, gastro sciences, neurology, neurosurgery, orthopaedics and general surgery.Its clinical profile will cover 28 departments across broad and super-specialities, diagnostics and support services. Nine additional departments are planned, including medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, nuclear medicine, interventional radiology, transfusion medicine and haematology. The facility will also require a substantial workforce. The government has sanctioned 2,360 posts, including 1,633 medical posts, 355 allied posts and 372 non-medical posts.With the hospital moving towards operationalisation, the Health Department has secured all 17 key licences and approvals required for the facility. These include the Fire NOC and occupancy approval, environmental clearance, drugs and pharmacy approvals, clinical establishments approval and blood bank NOC.Beyond catering to patients from Hyderabad and across Telangana, the hospital is also being positioned as a medical tourism facility, with dedicated beds and facilities for international patients. Published - August 16, 2026 01:54 pm IST

Lightning illuminates the night sky over Visakhapatnam after an evening shower on August 10. File | R. Deepak A system brewing in the north Bay of Bengal, adjoining the West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts, is likely to bring light to moderate rainfall in Andhra Pradesh through this week.According to the 8.30 a.m. bulletin from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Amaravati, a low-pressure area that formed on August 12 intensified into a well-marked low-pressure area at around 5.30 a.m. on Thursday (August 13, 2026). It is likely to continue moving north-westwards across Gangetic West Bengal towards Jharkhand, and may concentrate into a depression by Thursday evening.Under the influence of the system, coastal areas in the State may receive light to moderate showers and thunderstorms until August 16. Isolated strong surface winds, with speeds reaching 40-50 kmph, are likely across the State this week.The A.P. State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has said thunderstorms and rainfall are likely at a few stations on Thursday. As of 11 a.m., no station other than Kadiri in Sri Sathya Sai district and Peddapuram in Kakinada district had recorded any major rainfall. Kadiri and Peddapuram received light rain of around 11 mm each.After a dry July, the State has received about-normal rainfall since August 1. It has not been enough to bring down the overall deficit, which stands at 50.6%. Published - August 13, 2026 12:55 pm IST

Rain catching commuters off guard near Dharna Chowk in Hyderabad on Wednesday. | The skies turned dark shortly after 3 p.m., followed by intense rainfall in several areas. Waterlogging and slow traffic movement were reported at multiple locations, including near Taj Krishna towards KCP Junction and the Panjagutta flyover.Commuters were caught by surprise by the sudden downpour, with several people seen taking shelter beneath Metro stations and other covered spaces to escape the rain. Heavy rainfall was reported from Ameerpet, Khairatabad, Madhura Nagar, Nagole, Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills and Madhapur, among other areas.According to data from Telangana Development Planning Society (TGDPS), as of 7 p.m., Kavadiguda recorded 20.5 mm rainfall followed by 19 mm in Khairatabad, 18.8 mm in Vidya nagar, 18.5 mm in Amberpet, 16.3 mm in Adikmet, 15.5 mm in Ramanthapur, 15 mm in Osmania University, 14.8 mm in Bansilalpet, 13.8 mm in Tarnaka, 13.5 mm in Banjara Hills and 12.8 mm in Jubilee Hills Published - August 12, 2026 07:25 pm IST

Security personnel frisk a commuter and check a vehicle at a checkpoint at Wanpoh on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway ahead of Independence Day, in Anantnag district of South Kashmir, on August 11, 2026. | Officials said an anti-militancy operation was initiated in Poonch’s Mendhar Sector after a security guard spotted suspected movement near an under-construction tunnel, connecting the Pir Panjal valley with Kashmir.Officials said the security guards opened three to four rounds “as a precautionary measure”. Security forces cordoned off the jungles of Bhata Dhurian and Sangiot after the incident.In the Chenab valley, security forces launched another anti-terror operation after locals reported movement of terrorists in upper reaches. Officials said locals suspected movement of four terrorists at Ramtund area of Bhaderwah, Doda. Acting on the tip-off, the security forces have launched an operation to trace the hiding terrorists.In the Kashmir valley, frisking and searches of vehicles and markets were intensified throughout the day. Major markets like Lal Chowk in Srinagar saw security forces conducting searches of hotels and shops, as part of the stepped-up security.A purported online threat to Pandits has left security forces on tenterhooks. Officials said Kashmiri Pandits working in the Kashmir valley were allowed to go on leave till August 20, in the wake of the online threats by a little-known outfit United Liberation Council. The J&K police were looking into the online threats, apparently emanating from across the border.Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, V. K. Birdi assessed the security situation in Srinagar and took stock of “multi-layered security arrangements”.“For the main function on August 15 in Srinagar, all the security arrangements and preparations for the parade are going on. Security arrangements were not confined to the main venue but had been extended across Srinagar city and all districts of the Valley,” said IGP Birdi.On twin targeted killings by terrorist of a policeman and two non-locals since July 22, IGP Birdi the incidents were being investigated. “It is appropriate to reveal it,” he added. Published - August 12, 2026 03:56 am IST

HYDERABADThe Hyderabad Traffic Police has announced extensive traffic diversions and parking restrictions in the Old City and other parts of Hyderabad for Bonalu celebrations and processions on August 9 and 10. The Police Department has also ordered closure of liquor outlets in many parts of the city.For the Simha Vahini Sri Mahankali Lal Darwaza Bonalu celebrations, restrictions will be imposed from 6 a.m. on August 9 and from 9 a.m. on August 10 until the processions conclude. Several roads around Charminar, Lal Darwaza, Aliabad, Nagulchinta, Gowlipura, Chatrinaka, Moghalpura, Hari Bowli and Nayapool will either be closed or diverted.The main stretch from Madina X Roads to Engine Bowli through Gulzar House, Charminar, Himmatpura, Nagulchinta and Aliabad will remain closed to all vehicular traffic until the processions conclude.Visitors have been advised to use designated parking areas near Shalibanda, Alka Theatre, Arya Vysya Mandir, VDP School, Mithra Sports Club, Charminar Bus Terminal and other locations. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation buses will terminate at designated points including Old CBS, Afzalgunj, Darulshifa, Chatrinaka and Engine Bowli.Traffic restrictions will also be imposed for the Sri Darbar Maisamma Bonalu celebrations and elephant procession from Sabji Mandi, Karwan, to Nalla Pochamma Temple on August 9. Diversions will be implemented from 9 p.m. on August 8 until the morning of August 10.At Mahankali Temple in Amberpet, diversions will remain in force from 6 a.m. on August 9 until noon on August 10, with vehicles using the Amberpet flyover and alternative routes depending on traffic conditions.Restrictions will also be imposed around Katta Maisamma-Pochamma Temple in Chilkalguda from August 9 to 10, with commuters advised to avoid the area between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.The Traffic Police have advised commuters to plan journeys in advance and use alternate routes. For assistance, commuters can contact the traffic helpline on 9010203626. Published - August 08, 2026 07:53 pm IST

Moderate to heavy rains lashed several parts of north Telangana in the last 24 hours, bringing cheer to farmers amid El Nino concerns but disrupting normal life in parts of Mancherial and Jagtial districts on Wednesday.Bellampalli mandal in Mancherial district was among the most affected with a tank breaching at Kannala village and inundating nearby agricultural fields, sources said.Traffic was disrupted in the Ramnagar area of Bellampalli town after rainwater stagnated on a bridge. Several parked vehicles were damaged after trees were uprooted by strong winds. Power supply was also disrupted for some time, sources added.In Jagtial district, rainwater surrounded a State-run school near a tank at Indira Priyadarshini Colony in Metpalli town.Vehicular traffic on the Jagtial-Dharmapuri main road was disrupted as swollen streams overflowed while a portion of the road between Aksaipally and Nagaram villages was reportedly damaged.Rainwater entered several houses in low-lying areas of Nerella and various other villages in the district, causing severe inconvenience to the villagers. The affected villagers were forced to wade through stagnant rainwater, while normal life in several other parts of the district was disrupted.Jagtial recorded 18.9 cm rainfall in a span of 24 hours, ending 8 a.m. on Wednesday. Published - July 29, 2026 09:12 pm IST