Hyderabad: The Telangana government has launched a series of strategic initiatives to mitigate the recurring issue of monsoon flooding in the city. Among the measures are the construction of tanks and cisterns aimed at alleviating traffic disruptions in waterlogged areas. Senior officials from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and the Roads and Buildings Department convened on Thursday, June 11, to discuss these plans.
The principal secretary of Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) conducted site visits to key locations including Khairatabad Junction, Lake View Guest House on Raj Bhavan Road, and the Somajiguda RTA office, following directives from the Telangana Chief Minister. The GHMC Zonal Commissioner has been tasked with identifying suitable locations for constructing cisterns in 140 areas of Hyderabad prone to water stagnation. Tanks with a capacity of 10 lakh litres are slated for construction in 11 locations within the Jubilee Hills Circles of the Khairatabad Zone, with an allocated budget of Rs 20 crore. These tanks are designed to collect rainwater, which will then be pumped to nearby canals, significantly reducing surface water accumulation.
Additionally, the GHMC has mobilised a total of 534 monsoon emergency teams to address waterlogging issues, particularly in low-lying areas. This comprehensive deployment includes 157 mobile teams, 242 static teams, 29 teams dedicated to Comprehensive Road Maintenance Programme (CRMP) roads, 30 Disaster Response Force (DRF) teams, 13 police department teams, 41 electricity department teams, and 22 teams from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB).
Since May, GHMC has received numerous complaints of waterlogging from areas including Banjara Hills, Khairatabad, Chandrayangutta, Nagole, and Raj Bhavan Road. In response, the municipal body has intensified its efforts to address these challenges, aiming to ensure the safety and well-being of Hyderabad’s residents during the monsoon season. The GHMC’s proactive measures are indicative of a broader strategy to enhance urban resilience against seasonal flooding. By prioritising infrastructure improvements and emergency preparedness, the Telangana government is working to transform Hyderabad’s response to monsoon-related challenges, ensuring a safer and more efficient urban environment for its citizens.
