MM Farooqui
Hyderabad
Theonset of the monsoon and the recent spell of rains last week that exposed Hyderabad’s persistent urban flooding problems, inundating several roads in various areas, appear to have finally forced Telangana state authorities to step onto the ground and review the city’s preparedness for the monsoon season.
On the second consecutive day, a high-level team of senior officials led by Government Advisor Sudarshan Reddy and Telangana DGP CV Anand conducted extensive inspections of flood-prone areas across the city, assessing drainage bottlenecks, ongoing mitigation measures and pending infrastructure works aimed at preventing a repeat of last year’s flood-related disruptions.
After visiting the various flood-prone areas in Cyberabad limits on Tuesday, the team conducted an extensive inspection of flood-prone areas within the Malkajgiri and other vulnerable locations across the city on Wednesday.
The inspection team included HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath, Water Board MD Ashok Reddy, MMC Commissioner Vinay Krishna Reddy, Malkajgiri Police Commissioner B Sumati, along with officials from the HYDRAA, municipal administration, irrigation and police departments.
The officials reviewed flood-prone locations that witnessed severe waterlogging during previous monsoons.
The team assessed the causes of flooding, inspected drainage infrastructure, and discussed immediate as well as long-term solutions to safeguard residents during the rainy season.
On Wednesday, the inspection began at Prakashnagar Metro Station and surrounding areas, which have historically experienced significant waterlogging during heavy rainfall.
Ranganath informed the team that major desilting operations in the underground drainage network last year have considerably improved the area’s flood resilience.
He noted that the construction of a floodwater retention pond with a storage capacity of 40 lakh litres has helped regulate the large volume of runoff flowing from the Begumpet Airport catchment area.
Ranganath further stated that lowering the water level in Hussain Sagar would substantially ease flooding in the Prakashnagar region and adjoining localities.
They later visited Uppal Cross Roads, where they inspected a floodwater sump with a storage capacity of five lakh litres established to manage stormwater accumulation. At LB Nagar, the team reviewed the condition of flood canals carrying stormwater towards Bairamalgudacheruvu.
Officials observed that the flooding issue in the area could be effectively addressed by constructing a 900-mm flood canal along the main road connecting Chandrapuri Colony and Gunti Jangaiah Colony.
The inspection team also visited Vanasthalipuram, where they examined flood canal and drainage infrastructure associated with ongoing national highway development works near KLM Fashion Mall.
They inspected underground pipelines laid last year through tunnel-like excavations beneath the Vijayawada Highway. They observed that an additional 1,000-mm pipeline is required to channel large volumes of floodwater originating from FCI Colony, Prasanth Nagar, Abhyudaya Nagar, and Chintalakuntavillage towards the larger Mansoorabadcheruvu.
According to officials, the area faced severe flooding during last year’s monsoon. While the installation of a 1.10-metre pipeline has already reduced the problem considerably, the proposed additional line is expected to provide a permanent solution by improving stormwater discharge across the national highway corridor.
Government Advisor Sudarshan Reddy directed departments concerned to expedite the proposed works and ensure timely completion before peak monsoon activity.
The DGP directed all departments to remain on high alert throughout the monsoon season and respond swiftly to emergencies; preventing urban flooding and ensuring public safety require sustained coordination among the Police, Municipalities, HYDRAA, Irrigation and other civic agencies.