This city cannot take more than 3 cm rain

Antiquated drainage system leads to flooding of Hyderabad roads

The traffic on Kukatpally-Balanagar stretch moves at a snail's pace due to muddy roads which got damaged after the recent spell of heavy rain.

On June 7 as pre-monsoon showers lashed Hyderabad, photographs started popping up on social media about rain, water-logged roads and streets. One user posted a photograph of a dry Durgam Cheruvu beside a flooded road with vehicles backed up right up to the Inorbit Mall. Another user posted a photograph of Panjagutta near Model House with commuters removing the median to let the water drain. At the same time, some areas stayed dry.

“The same amount of rain does not fall in all the areas of what has been recorded by the observatory in Begumpet. There is locational variation. Certain areas receive more rainfall than others,” said Y.K. Reddy of India Meteorological Department.

This uneven distribution of rainfall and topography is playing havoc with the city’s infrastructure during monsoon.

After angry citizens raised the issue of water logging and traffic problems on June 8, GHMC Commissioner went on record saying that Hyderabad cannot handle more than 3 cm of rainfall.

“The long term average shows that Hyderabad has over 37 days of rainfall. The Begumpet station records 820 mm of rainfall, while the Hakimpet station records 873 mm per year on an average,” says Mr. Reddy.

That is more than 2.5 feet of rainfall per year falling in a few days. Then there are yearly anomalies. Last year, Hyderabad received 12 cm rain in May and a whopping 43 cm in September and Army had to be called in certain areas of the city to rescue people.

A recent study done by a private firm which is a consultant for the Preparation of Comprehensive Master Plan and Micro Level Storm water drain network for Hyderabad revealed that there are about 340 locations in Kukatpally zone which are critical and there are 880 choke points which are causing water logging during heavy showers.

“Hyderabad is a historic city that has grown over the years with very limited planning. We have a legacy infrastructure which cannot be brought up to date quickly. Part of the drainage system is antiquated and part of it is new. It will require a massive infusion of funds to ensure that we have infrastructure that will take care of the city’s needs,” said a GHMC official.

On Wednesday, though the city receiving hardly any rainfall, roads were clotted with traffic as they turned into dangerous islands of slush and muck.

“It took me 65 minutes on a two-wheeler to travel from Balanagar Y-Junction to Fatehnagar Flyover a distance of 3.3 km. The road has disappeared,” said Shyam Sunder, a hotelier.