People throng markets in Hyderabad ahead of Eid amid COVID surge. Watch

At a time when India is facing a ferocious second wave of coronavirus, people thronged markets in large numbers near the Charminar area in Hyderabad. In a video shared by the news agency ANI, a large crowd was seen near Charminar on Thursday, a day before Eid. 

Also read: Religious, political gatherings among reasons behind India’s COVID surge: WHO

Notably, the state of Telangana is under a 10-day lockdown till May 22. However, all shops and businesses are allowed to open between 6 am and 10 am every day. 

Telangana on Wednesday recorded 4,723 new COVID-19 cases, pushing its tally to 511,711, according to the Times of India. The state logged 31 deaths, thus bringing the toll to 2,834. 

Also read: COVID patients should defer vaccination for 6 months after recovery: Centre

Meanwhile, India continues to record more than 300,000 COVID cases and over 4,000 deaths. On Wednesday, the country saw 362,727 new cases of COVID-19, pushing the tally beyond 23.7 million. 4,120 COVID patients died during the same time, bringing the toll to reach 258,317.