Jalpally Lake Overflows, Submerging Illegal Structures Along Its Banks

Hyderabad: The Jalpally lake near Pahadishareef has filled up, submerging illegal structures along its banks, including houses and sheds constructed near the proposed Metro Rail route to the Shamshabad airport. Polluted lake water, mixed with garbage, was seen overflowing onto the main road, forcing vehicles to slow down.

The lake’s waters inundated a shed filled with dilapidated cars, sending them floating. Elsewhere, the rising water, mixed with debris and waste, lapped at the walls of residential buildings. The lake’s deteriorating condition is largely due to unchecked encroachments, poor drainage systems and waterlogging.

For many, the problems extend beyond mere flooding. Homes have become uninhabitable due to water entering kitchens and bathrooms. “The drainage water has come inside our houses, into the kitchen and bathroom. This flooding has been happening for two years now,” said Sudha (name changed), a resident.

"When we complained, GHMC workers cleared the water. But, as soon as it rains again, we face the same situation within hours." After the downpour on Wednesday night, Sudha's house was cleared of water by Thursday morning. With more rain forecast, she fears water will enter the house again.

Residents also say many of them are suffering from fever and mosquito-borne diseases like malaria. Residents say the situation has worsened in the last two years. Some families have also been forced to leave their homes and seek shelter with relatives.

Jalpally is part of the Maheshwaram Assembly constituency, represented by BRS MLA Sabitha Indra Reddy. The issue has been taken to her notice.

Protection of water bodies in Jalpally has been an ongoing concern. In April, the Telangana High Court took suo motu cognisance of the issue, following media reports, and issued notices to the Chief Secretary and municipality officials to address the issue of encroachments, particularly on the lake's eastern side. Once covering over 250 acres, the lake has now shrunk to half its size due to encroachments, many allegedly backed by local politicians.

The lack of action is further compounded by the failure of a beautification project announced in 2021 by the HMDA. The ₹9.5 crore project promised walkways, a cycling track, an open gym, and other facilities around the lake. However, no work has begun. "If the beautification had been taken seriously, Jalpally might not be in this situation today," a resident said.

When contacted, municipal officials said that they faced a paucity of funds because of which they could not implement long-term solutions.