HYDRAA launches major drain cleanup drive in Alwal, Tolichowki, LB Nagar

These teams, typically deployed in flood-prone areas during rainfall, are now making the most of the dry spells to intensify cleanup operations. The desilting works are visible across the city, with a clear transformation seen in drains, culverts and catch pits before and after the cleaning, HYDRAA said.

Truckloads of silt are being removed from culverts, catch pits and stormwater drains. In many places, the drains had become completely blocked by accumulated waste.

For instance, in Brindavan Colony of Alwal, HYDRAA cleared out plastic waste and silt that had clogged a culvert, allowing floodwaters to flow freely again.

Desilting continues in the Bulkapur nala, which had decades’ worth of silt and trash. Massive volumes of garbage have also been cleared from areas like Hakimpet, Hafeezbabanagar, Sabaz Colony and Ayesha Masjid Road near Tolichowki.

In Indira Nagar Colony of Shivrampally, silt removed from the nala is being transported by trucks. Pedda Ammannagar in Borabanda, once prone to road flooding after every rain, is now seeing smoother water flow thanks to the silt removal.

Similarly, at the outlet of the Kudi Kunta lake along Botanical Garden Road in Kondapur, accumulated garbage has been cleared, allowing excess rainwater to drain out effectively.

The HYDRAA said that due to the agency’s efforts, drains, catch pits and culverts across Hyderabad are finally clearing out years of accumulated garbage and silt.

“These floodwater channels, long choked by plastic waste and debris, are now breathing freely once more. In the past, even a brief spell of rain would flood roads and residential areas due to overflowing drains and clogged catch pits. But now, with sustained silt and waste removal efforts, rainwater is flowing smoothly, significantly reducing the risk of urban flooding,” HYDRAA stated in a press release.