Hyderabad: As the monsoon season approaches, Residential Welfare Associations (RWAs) have asked the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) to find a lasting solution for urban flooding. They also want RWA members to be involved in studying how to manage urban flooding.
During every monsoon, not only do residents in low-lying areas suffer from flooding, but even areas that have never been flooded before are now facing serious issues. This is happening because drains are not being cleaned properly, and storm water drains are not being maintained and monitored effectively.
“To improve our quality of life, it is important for urban residents to participate in local governance. In the recent elections, we highlighted urban flooding as a key issue in our manifestos. If RWAs are included in the study on urban flooding, they can suggest solutions to the civic body because they know the area better,” said BT Srinivasam, General Secretary of the Federation of Malkajgiri RWAs.
Apart from requesting GHMC’s involvement, the United Federation of Resident Welfare Associations, Greater Hyderabad, is educating locals to address common problems. This includes encouraging residents to report areas needing cleaning to GHMC promptly and promoting rainwater harvesting to help recharge the water table.
“There needs to be a permanent solution to urban flooding because every monsoon, residents in low-lying areas face significant challenges. After each monsoon, officials clean up and repair storm water drains,” said Khaled Shah, a member of the RWA in Secunderabad.
