Musi river revival plans strong embankments
HYDERABAD: The state government plans large embankments along the Musi River to control floods and prevent sewage inflow under its river revival project.
Two components are central to the plan: stopping sewage from entering the river and strengthening its capacity to withstand heavy floods. Officials said embankments will be built on both sides to manage floods that occur once in 100 years.
If water flow is not regulated, several areas face inundation during heavy rains. In the 2020 floods, more than 50 people died, about 1,000 families were displaced, and property worth over ₹5,000 crore was damaged.
Flood risk expected to rise by 2050
With urbanisation and climate change, sudden floods may rise by 40% by 2050, according to weather authorities. The government has decided to redesign the river system to withstand such extreme events.
The Musi River, which has served Hyderabad for over 300 years for irrigation, drinking water and commerce, is now polluted due to encroachments, sewage and solid waste.
Design includes 50-metre buffer zone
The project includes a 50-metre buffer on both sides of the river. Officials said this will allow safe flow even if discharge reaches 60,000 cusecs during extreme rainfall events.
Hydrological study guides project design
A study by the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, assessed flood flows from catchment areas including Osman Sagar (740 sq km), Himayat Sagar (1,362 sq km), and downstream drains covering 800 sq km.
The government used hydrological modelling and river analysis tools developed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers to design the system.
E V Narasimha Reddy, Managing Director of Musi Riverfront Development Corporation Limited, said the design can handle about 1.53 lakh cusecs from the Himayat Sagar side and 26,300 cusecs from the Osman Sagar side.
Embankments planned across key stretches
Embankments will be constructed from Gandipet to Gandhi Sarovar. Areas such as Rajendranagar, Kismatpur, Budvel and Sun City on one side, and Kokapet, Manchirevula and Bairagiguda on the other, are included in the flood protection plan.
