Hyderabad: HYDRAA flood mitigation efforts over the past two years have helped reduce flood risks across several parts of Hyderabad through lake restoration, drain expansion, desilting works and the removal of encroachments.
Established on July 19, 2024, HYDRAA said it had undertaken several operations to resolve long-pending civic issues related to urban flooding. The agency stated that its interventions had prevented flood threats and improved stormwater flow in vulnerable areas.
HYDRAA flood mitigation improves stormwater flow
HYDRAA said Krishnanagar and the area beneath the Ameerpet Metro Station had faced flooding for decades whenever heavy rain fell in Jubilee Hills. According to the agency, silt had completely blocked the stormwater pipelines under the Metro station.
The agency cleared the silt from the pipelines and desilted drains from Krishnanagar through Srinivasa Nagar to Ameerpet. It said the work restored the free flow of stormwater and reduced flooding in the area.
HYDRAA also removed encroachments along the Patny drain between Begumpet and Secunderabad. The agency said the encroachments had narrowed the 72-foot-wide drain to about 10 feet at one location. According to HYDRAA, restoring the drain protected eight colonies, benefiting nearly 40,000 families and around 1.6 lakh residents from recurring flood threats.
HYDRAA flood mitigation restores lakes and canals
In Baglingampally’s Sriram Nagar, HYDRAA restored a flood canal connected to Hussain Sagar after receiving complaints that an encroacher had filled it with soil. The agency said the restoration removed a major obstruction and reduced flood risks in the locality.
HYDRAA also carried out desilting works at Gurnath Cheruvu in Miyapur and Khajaguda Cheruvu. In addition, it cleared heavy silt from the inlets of Malkam Cheruvu.
The agency said these interventions improved water flow into the lakes and reduced the possibility of flooding in surrounding neighbourhoods. HYDRAA stated that it would continue prioritising lake restoration, stormwater infrastructure and the removal of encroachments to strengthen Hyderabad’s flood management system.