Residents of Osman Nagar, a suburb of Hyderabad, are once again facing waterlogging. This is a recurring issue for them and for those in Bandlaguda and the surrounding areas during the rainy season. The flood water level in the area is up to four feet, causing distress for the residents.
Even though the rain has stopped in recent days and most areas have recovered from flooding, the residents of Osman Nagar are still dealing with the aftermath. More than 200 houses are still submerged in surplus water from Osman Nagar lake and sewage.
The locals are angry and claim that their pleas to officials to drain out the excess water have been ignored. Similar situations occurred during the Hyderabad floods in October 2020, and the area has experienced flooding every monsoon since then. Officials explain that many houses were built on the lake’s Full Tank Level (FTL), which is why they are still underwater.
The residents have protested against the negligence of the authorities and political leaders who have reportedly failed to address their concerns. Despite numerous complaints, none of them have visited the locality.
Residents like Mujahid Ahmed of Osman Nagar express their concern about being unable to leave their homes in case of emergencies due to waterlogging and overflowing drains. They have suffered from this issue in the past and are now facing it again after the recent heavy rain.
Local leaders, such as Uzma Shakira, criticize the State government, Education Minister, and Maheshwaram MLA Sabita Indra Reddy for ignoring the suffering of the people in Osman Nagar.
Activist Syed Abdul Raof explains that to prevent waterlogging, the civic body needs to create an outlet from Burhan Cheruvu, through which water can flow to other lakes. The closure of the nala connecting and flowing to the Ibrahimpatnam Lake has caused water to clog these areas.
Due to the inundation, residents are forced to stay in rented houses while their own properties remain underwater. Their requests for officials to address the issue have been ignored.
Shaik Saleh, a 50-year-old laborer, shares the story of how these families had to live with relatives when their houses were flooded. After a few months, they had to find another place to stay. Their hard-earned money has been lost in the water.
As the monsoon season continues, it is crucial to urgently address the waterlogging issue in Osman Nagar. The residents hope that the government will take immediate action to find a permanent and effective solution to their long-standing problem.
