The traffic police have identified a total of 349 locations in the purview of Hyderabad, Rachakonda and Cyberabad police commissionerates which are chronic inundation points in the event of rains. The fact was shared at a coordination meeting between the higher officials of the traffic police and the Hyderabad Disaster Response & Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) on Tuesday.
Joint Commissioners of Police Gajarao Bhupal, Joel Davis, and Additional Director of HYDRAA V. Paparao too attended the meeting addressed by HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath.
Officials explained that continuous rain for two hours is resulting in water rise of one meter in the city lakes - and to drain out the excess water, it is taking a week’s time.
Mr. Ranganath said there is a need to study the water levels of all the lakes, and as of now, the efforts are to find permanent solutions at 50 major inundation points. He urged the officials of all departments concerned in the inundation prone areas to be on high alert at the time of heavy rains.
As a long-term measure, the linkage between lakes in the areas, and the status of the stormwater drains should be studied. Action will be taken towards restoration of narrowed and blocked stormwater drains, if information is given in advance, Mr. Ranganath said, and added that the drains near Patny, Chikoti Gardens and Chintal Basti are being widened. He reminded the Supreme Court’s directions towards immediate removal of obstructions to lakes and drains.
