Hyderabad: On Thursday, the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency (HYDRAA) took action to protect water bodies and prevent flooding by tearing down illegal buildings at Chinnari Kunta in Alwal. Three structures built on the lake’s Full Tank Level were removed.
Local people reported that these buildings blocked rainwater from naturally flowing into Chinnari Kunta. This blockage led to waterlogging and flooding in nearby areas during heavy rains.
Residents complained that construction stopped rainwater from reaching the lake, causing their homes to flood. After investigating, HYDRAA confirmed the buildings were illegally within protected limits and demolished them on Thursday.
Officials noted the structures violated rules by being built unauthorizedly on the lake’s designated area. The encroacher ignored regulations meant to safeguard water bodies.
On Wednesday, following reports of illegal soil dumping in the lake under HYDRAA's name, Commissioner AV Ranganath clarified that those responsible had been warned. He promised the soil would be cleared within a week and warned of legal consequences if not done on time.
Bum-Rukn-ud-Dowla Lake, once covering 18 acres, had shrunk due to illegal soil filling, reducing it by nine acres. HYDRAA is now working to remove the soil and restore the lake to its original size.
Ranganath also explored options to reopen the lake’s outlet, aiming to improve water flow during the monsoon season.
