HYDRAA clears 13 tippers of garbage from blocked Hyderabad drains to prevent flooding

The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has cleared massive blockages in stormwater and sewage drains across Agapura, Darussalam, Miyapur, and Chandanagar over the past six days to prevent severe monsoon flooding. Working in coordination with multiple civic departments, emergency teams removed 13 tippers of garbage, including discarded household furniture and plastic waste, from a single major bottleneck near Darussalam.

The intensive desilting and cleaning drive was launched to address alarming levels of garbage accumulation in the city's nalas and box drains. According to officials, solid waste dumped into drains designed for stormwater has been obstructing rainwater flow, leading to severe waterlogging on roads and in residential colonies during heavy rainfall.

One of the largest operations took place at the Agapura Nala, which channels stormwater from Mehdipatnam, Mallepally, and Vijayanagar Colony into the Musi River. Near Darussalam, dumped garbage had completely blocked the flow of floodwater through a culvert. Following complaints from local residents who shared photographs and videos of the blockage, authorities inspected the site.

Acting on the instructions of HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath, officials demolished a portion of the drain’s boundary wall to grant access to JCB machines. Over six days of continuous work, teams removed 13 tippers of garbage containing mattresses, sofas, chairs, pillows, and large quantities of plastic. While the remaining stretch is expected to be cleared within two days, residents noted that fresh waste continues to enter the drain during active rainfall.

Another major blockage was resolved along the Miyapur–Patancheru Road. Debris, mixed waste, and large bundles of settled cable wires had nearly halted the flow of stormwater in a box drain. HYDRAA deployed earthmoving equipment to clear the accumulation, which had significantly reduced the drain's carrying capacity.

Additionally, emergency teams cleared a chronically flooded spot near the Chandanagar–Lingampally Railway Under Bridge. This location frequently experiences flooding when rainfall exceeds five centimetres. Although a box drain had been constructed under the Strategic Nala Development Programme, accumulated waste beneath the underpass prevented water from draining into the Nakkavagu. Teams removed iron grills to clear the drain, recovering two truckloads of plastic waste from the site.

The ongoing drive is being executed by HYDRAA's Disaster Response Force and Monsoon Emergency Teams. They are working alongside the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Cyberabad Municipal Corporation, Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation, the Irrigation Department, and the Police department to restore drainage capacity across the city.