Flood-risk map ready before monsoon: HYDRAA targets 202 hotspots, 30 lakes
HYDERABAD: HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath has warned that Hyderabad could face a higher flood risk this monsoon even if the city receives less rainfall than usual.
During a review meeting with officials from the Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC) and other departments on Monday, Ranganath said short bursts of heavy rain could cause flooding across the city. He noted that intense downpours can overwhelm drainage systems, regardless of total seasonal rainfall.
Weather models suggest that monsoon activity may begin around June 8. In response, civic agencies have launched a large pre-monsoon drive across the Cyberabad region to reduce flooding and traffic problems.
202 flood-prone locations identified
Officials have identified 202 waterlogging hotspots within CMC limits. These include 83 major, 95 medium and 24 minor locations.
Ranganath gave departments 15 days to complete flood-control measures before the monsoon intensifies. He asked civic, traffic, irrigation, electricity and water supply officials to work together and remove obstacles that could slow down drainage.
Special focus on IT corridor
Officials paid special attention to Hyderabad’s IT corridor, one of the city’s busiest zones. Waterlogging in the area can disrupt traffic and affect thousands of employees travelling to work.
Authorities will clear encroachments from stormwater drains and speed up the desilting of flood channels to improve water flow.
Preparing for intense rain spells
Officials said the city may receive fewer rainy days this season. However, individual rain events could be much heavier than normal.
Ranganath urged departments to prepare for extreme weather events that can dump large amounts of rain within a few hours. He said agencies should focus on managing sudden heavy rainfall instead of relying only on seasonal forecasts.
Plan to regulate lake water levels
The meeting also reviewed the condition of key lakes, including Durgam Cheruvu, Khajaguda Lake and Malkam Cheruvu. These lakes receive large volumes of stormwater during heavy rain.
Officials proposed installing sluice gates at about 30 lakes within CMC limits. The move would help control water levels before major rain spells, create extra storage space and reduce the risk of overflow.
Alerts and traffic management
HYDRAA plans to send SMS alerts before heavy rain events. The agency may also share updates on waterlogged roads and alternate routes to help commuters avoid traffic jams.
Officials will map manhole locations, inspect pumps near road underbridges and check drainage openings on bridges.
Desilting work nearly finished
CMC Commissioner Srijana told the meeting that crews have completed about 98% of desilting work across corporation limits.
The civic body has also identified 161 unsafe buildings that could become dangerous during the monsoon. Officials plan to inspect these structures and take further action where necessary.
Traffic police officers also reviewed congestion-prone locations and outlined plans to manage traffic during heavy rain.
Officials said their goal is to prevent the flooding and traffic chaos that affected several residential areas and IT hubs during previous spells of intense rainfall.
