Hyderabad Weather: Inadequate Desilting Works Raise Flood Concerns
The incomplete desilting works and recent pre-monsoon showers have highlighted the need for urgent action to prevent waterlogging and flooding in Hyderabad, with the city's authorities working to complete the necessary works and implement measures to mitigate the impact of heavy rains, ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation's (GHMC) incomplete desilting works have raised concerns about the city's preparedness for the upcoming monsoon season, with only 68% of the work finished, leaving stormwater drains at risk of overflowing and causing widespread waterlogging.
The GHMC has identified 203 desilting works across 951 km of stormwater drains, but only 650 km have been completed, with the Khairatabad zone completing just 54% of the work, while the Serilingampally and Secunderabad zones have completed 65% and 69% respectively. The slow pace of work is worrisome, considering last year's heavy rains left many areas waterlogged due to blocked drains.
Recent pre-monsoon showers have already highlighted the inefficiency of the city's ageing drainage infrastructure, with widespread road inundation and traffic jams reported. The HYDRAA Commissioner has instructed officials to widen canals to prevent water stagnation and ensure garbage doesn't accumulate in drains, while also directing them to resolve street light issues and trim trees along busy areas to prevent disruptions during the rainy season.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has instructed officials to take measures to prevent accidents and damages due to incessant rains in Hyderabad and other districts, with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Police, Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency, Traffic, and Electricity departments asked to work in coordination to address waterlogging, traffic jams, and power outages on a war footing.
As the city gears up for heavy rains, civic authorities are working to complete the desilting works and implement alternative measures to prevent low-lying areas from getting flooded, with the Chief Minister appealing to people to be alert, especially in areas receiving heavy rains, and asking the Chief Secretary to review the flood situation regularly.