HYDRAA, the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency, is now in charge of managing floods during the monsoon season in Hyderabad. Recently, they addressed 58 complaints, mostly about blocked water channels, known as nalas, and illegal land use.
Residents of areas like Durga Province Colony and Ameenpur reported severe flooding in their homes due to these blockages. The Langer Houz Cheruvu lake has shrunk from 36 acres to 24 acres because of illegal encroachments. Similar issues are affecting places like Maktha Mahaboobpet Cheruvu and some government lands, with unauthorized occupations valued at Rs. 300 crore. People from Pragathi Nagar Colony also noted that a park was unlawfully seized.
With the monsoon approaching, HYDRAA aims to prevent flooding by cleaning drains, using pumps to remove excess water, coordinating with other departments, and routinely inspecting drainage systems. The agency emphasizes that removing these illegal blockages is crucial for protecting Hyderabad from floods.
