Rain Has SCB Areas in a Mess

HYDERABAD: The Secunderabad Cantonment (SCB) was one of the worst-hit areas of the city during the four-day incessant rain spell last week, as showers left drains overflowing, raising a stink and obstructing traffic movement on roads, besides inundating houses.

Many residents complained that potholes near AOC and along Wellington Road posed a significant danger to commuters, making them susceptible to accidents.

“Areas adjacent to the nalas quickly saw deluge-like conditions due to rains since Wednesday night. We couldn’t travel in a car without worrying; it was more troublesome for two-wheelers and those who chose to walk. The fear of manholes and potholes kept us from going out unless absolutely necessary,” said Ramanath Lalu, a resident of Bowenpally.

Areas affected by the overflowing nalas include Rasoolpura, Indiranagar Colony, Sitaram Colony, Harsha Vardhan Colony, SAIL Colony, and Hasmathpet. “Stagnation lasted long enough to invite several insects, apart from mosquitos, to breed here,” said Aravinda Reddy, a resident.

Residents and employees of the SCB, however, said that a major part of the problem could be avoided if the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation’s (GHMC) strategic nala development programme (SNDP) was extended to the SCB area.

“The SNDP arrangement near Patny has helped areas around it, especially saving Rasoolpura and Indranagar from inundation. If the same is carried out at the other nalas in the SCB limits, especially at Ramanukunta Lake and Hasmathpet, a huge problem will be solved,” an SCB official said.

SCB’s chief executive officer (CEO) Madhukar Naik said he has written to the GHMC multiple times on the issue, and will do so again, seeking SNDP works in the area.

“Because that hasn't happened, water from areas near Alwal municipality and Kukatpally are flowing into areas here and without proper channelising of the water, the area is bound to get flooded. If it gets worse, reverse flooding to the fringe areas outside the cantonment can occur,” Naik told Deccan Chronicle.

However, residents said that desilting works helped prevent the problem from being exacerbated. Many agreed that the place has been crawling back to normalcy sooner than it did in 2020.

“The rains have been kinder this time — most other areas in the cantonment, although had several waterlogging issues, are drying up faster because of several pre-monsoon precautions that the water division department was able to take up,” said Naik.

He said desilting and jetting machines were used to clear silt and debris. “But, this is just the beginning of the monsoon, more works are on, with staff monitoring the situation through the day and night. More than 70 per cent of the work is done and the remaining will be cleared soon,” the CEO said.