HYDRAA chief Ranganath assesses Durgam Cheruvu’s capacity to handle heavy rainwater inflows

Hyderabad: With the monsoon approaching, HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath on Monday conducted a detailed review of Durgam Cheruvu’s inflow levels and the drainage capacity in surrounding areas, particularly Madhapur.

During his field visit, Ranganath assessed whether the lake’s current outflow systems and nearby stormwater drains could effectively handle heavy rainwater inflows, aiming to prevent urban flooding in vulnerable zones like Nectar Gardens.

As part of the inspection, the commissioner walked along key stormwater drain routes to check for encroachment and blockages that might disrupt water flow during peak rainfall. In areas such as Nectar Gardens, frequently affected by seasonal flooding, residents brought to his attention that rainwater often stagnates up to waist level.

Responding to these concerns, Ranganath emphasised the need for immediate interventions and discussed possible solutions with officials from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), the Irrigation Department, and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB).

Monitoring Durgam Cheruvu’s water dynamics

At Durgam Cheruvu, Ranganath closely examined the inflow and outflow points, sluice gates, and embankments. Officials briefed him on the volume of water entering the lake and how much can be safely released downstream. Suggestions were made to lower the water retention level of the lake during the monsoon to create buffer capacity for incoming rainwater and avoid overflow conditions.

The HYDRAA commissioner reviewed the gate mechanisms, asking for details on how much water each gate can release and whether the current infrastructure can handle sudden surges. He also inspected the downstream flow path towards Malkam Cheruvu, stressing that excess water from Durgam must be channelled smoothly without any obstruction.

Mud dumping near the Inorbit Mall

During the visit, concerns were raised about mud dumping near the Inorbit Mall side of Durgam Cheruvu and its possible impact on drainage. The Commissioner also took note of vehicles parked near key outlet points and instructed officials to gather detailed reports on both issues. He warned that any obstruction to natural drainage, whether due to encroachments or unregulated development, must be addressed as a priority.

Joint review meeting soon

To ensure coordinated action, Ranganath announced that a joint review meeting would soon be held with GHMC, Irrigation, and Water Board officials. The agenda will include regulating Durgam Cheruvu’s water levels, clearing drainage bottlenecks, and temporarily expanding outflow capacity if needed.

He underlined that the goal is to ensure that even during peak rainfall, stormwater from Durgam Cheruvu is efficiently discharged to Malkam Cheruvu and beyond, thereby safeguarding Madhapur and surrounding localities from seasonal flooding.