Hyderabad rains: HYDRAA-GHMC intensifies joint action to prevent floods, traffic chaos

Hyderabad: HYDRAA and GHMC officials have decided to strengthen coordination and ensure roads and residential areas do not face flooding or traffic chaos this monsoon.

The decision was taken at a time when the city is witnessing heavy rains.

Focus on ground-level action

HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath and GHMC Commissioner RV Karnan emphasised that both departments must work together seamlessly to address monsoon challenges. The duo instructed all field-level officials to remain accessible and act swiftly to resolve waterlogging and drainage issues.

Support for emergency teams

The Commissioners directed GHMC Assistant Engineers (AEs) and Deputy Engineers (DEs), who have detailed knowledge of the nala (drainage) network, to extend full support to HYDRAA’s Monsoon Emergency Teams (MET) and Disaster Response Force (DRF) teams operating in the field.

Shared responsibility for public safety

The two officers underlined that HYDRAA and GHMC are not separate entities but two departments with a shared goal of ensuring citizen safety and convenience.

Officials were asked to take all necessary precautions to prevent flooding on roads and in residential areas and avoid traffic disruptions during heavy rainfall. They also highlighted the need for cooperation with the Water Board wherever required.

Detailed monsoon preparedness measures

Officials reviewed and discussed various aspects of monsoon preparedness, including the operation of dewatering pumps at underpasses, cleaning of catchpits, removal of silt from pipelines, nala cleaning and safety, transportation of removed silt, desilting works, and clearance of garbage washed into nalas during rains.

Arrangements to keep MET teams available at ward offices were also discussed to ensure a quick response.

Strict vigil at waterlogging points

The Commissioners instructed officials to remain vigilant at the 141 identified waterlogging points within GHMC limits and take measures to prevent water stagnation at underbridges and underpasses to ensure smooth traffic flow and public safety.

“Protect Hyderabad’s brand image”

The HYDRAA Commissioner stressed that Hyderabad is growing as a global IT hub, and maintaining its brand image is crucial. He said traffic chaos due to rains damages the city’s reputation, citing the recent example of water stagnation at the Kothapet flyover and underpass.

He urged officials to work in greater coordination to improve the city’s living standards and suggested that such inter-departmental meetings be held frequently to strengthen preparedness and teamwork.