HYDRAA chief charts monsoon plan with traffic police

The traffic police have identified a total of 349 locations in the purview of Hyderabad, Rachakonda and Cyberabad police commissionerates which are chronic inundation points in the event of rains. The fact was shared at a coordination meeting between the higher officials of the traffic police and the Hyderabad Disaster Response & Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) on Tuesday.

Joint Commissioners of Police Gajarao Bhupal, Joel Davis, and Additional Director of HYDRAA V. Paparao too attended the meeting addressed by HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath.

Officials explained that continuous rain for two hours is resulting in water rise of one meter in the city lakes – and to drain out the excess water, it is taking a week’s time.

Mr. Ranganath said there is a need to study the water levels of all the lakes, and as of now, the efforts are to find permanent solutions at 50 major inundation points. He urged the officials of all departments concerned in the inundation prone areas to be on high alert at the time of heavy rains.

As a long-term measure, the linkage between lakes in the areas, and the status of the stormwater drains should be studied. Action will be taken towards restoration of narrowed and blocked stormwater drains, if information is given in advance, Mr. Ranganath said, and added that the drains near Patny, Chikoti Gardens and Chintal Basti are being widened. He reminded the Supreme Court’s directions towards immediate removal of obstructions to lakes and drains.

Monsoon emergency teams, for which tenders were floated by HYDRAA, after being cancelled by GHMC, will be ready within three days, he informed. A total 150 teams together with 51 dedicated HYDRAA’s disaster response teams, will work together with circle level GHMC teams to drain water off the roads at inundation points in the event of rains.

Proper coordination with the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board, Traffic, Irrigation and Electricity departments, will resolve the flooding issue to a major extent, he said. He issued directions for formation of social media groups for coordination, and vehicles to be organised to remove the broken down vehicles from the flood water, a press release informed.

In a separate communication, HYDRAA urged people to share information about encroachment of lakes and drains on WhatsApp at 8712406899, attaching photographs of the encroachments along with the locations. The information may be shared on social media platforms such as X, Instagram, and Facebook, tagging the account of HYDRAA Commissioner, or sent directly to Mr. Ranganath on 7207923085.