Telangana State Capital Greater Hyderabad has a history of flooding, notably in this monsoon season, city experiencing a significant flood due to heavy rainfall. This occurrence served as a warning, underscoring the repercussions of insufficient urban planning and inadequate institutional capacity.
The reasons behind such flooding are diverse. Heavy rainfall, insufficient drainage systems, and rivers' incapacity to handle increased discharge levels are key factors. Urbanisation significantly contributes, with encroachments on major water bodies and ecologically sensitive zones worsening the situation.
In many Indian cities, like Chennai, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, unregulated urban expansion and encroachment on lakes, rivers, and wetlands have significantly worsened the impact of flooding. Restoring and protecting water bodies is essential for long-term flood management.
History of Floods in Hyderabad
Hyderabad, a major city in South India, has experienced several significant floods over the years due to a mix of heavy rainfall, poor urban planning, and encroachment on natural water bodies. Once upon a time, Hyderabad city was known as a City of Lakes. City had a around 5000 water bodies, most of these lakes have totally disappeared due to illegal constructions. Most of these lakes and tanks were built during the regime of Qutub Shah in 16th and 17th century and later by Nizams as a source of drinking water for the residents of Hyderabad. Some surviving lakes are Hussian Sagar, Osman Sagar, Himayat Sagar, Shamirpet Lake, Durgam Cheruvu and Saroornagar Cheruvu etc.
Major Historical Floods in the City
1908 Musi River Flood: One of the most devastating floods in Hyderabad’s history occurred on September 28, 1908, when the Musi River overflowed due to continuous heavy rains. The flood killed more than 15,000 people and caused massive damage to infrastructure. This event prompted the Nizam of Hyderabad to build reservoirs like Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar to regulate water flow and prevent future floods.
2000 Flash Floods: Hyderabad faced severe flooding in August 2000 after intense rainfall, which resulted in waterlogging across the city, disrupting daily life and causing considerable damage to property.
2016 Floods: Heavy monsoon rains in September 2016 caused widespread flooding in Hyderabad. Several areas were waterlogged, causing traffic jams, damage to property, and disruptions in public services.
2020 Floods: Hyderabad saw unprecedented rainfall in October 2020, which led to severe urban flooding. In some areas, over 30 cm of rain fell within 24 hours, causing the Musi River and other water bodies to overflow. Over 50 people lost their lives, thousands were displaced, and damage worth hundreds of crores was reported. Encroachment on lakes, poor drainage, and lack of preparedness worsened the flood's impact.
Causes of Flooding in Greater Hyderabad
Encroachment on Water Bodies: Many lakes, ponds, and natural drains (nalas) that once helped manage stormwater have been encroached upon for urban development. This has reduced the city's capacity to absorb excess rainwater, contributing to frequent flooding.
Unplanned Urbanization: Rapid growth and unchecked urban sprawl have led to the paving of natural drainage areas. As a result, the city's infrastructure cannot handle the volume of water during heavy rainfall.
Inadequate Drainage System: Hyderabad’s storm water drainage system is often insufficient, leading to waterlogging even after short periods of heavy rain. The aging and poorly maintained drainage network struggles to cope with the increased urban runoff.
Topography: Hyderabad is situated on a plateau with uneven terrain. During heavy rainfall, low-lying areas are prone to water accumulation, leading to local floods.
Future Threats to Metrocity
Given the trends, if Hyderabad doesn't address these issues, the city will continue to face the rising threat of floods in the coming years.
Climate Change: Global warming is expected to increase the frequency of extreme weather events, including heavy rains. This will likely result in more intense monsoon seasons, raising the flood risk in Hyderabad.
Further Urban Expansion: As Hyderabad continues to grow as a tech hub, rapid urbanization is expected to persist. Without proper urban planning, this will lead to more encroachments and strain on the already inadequate drainage infrastructure.
Depleting Lakes and Water Bodies: The continued degradation and encroachment of lakes and water channels will exacerbate flooding. Hyderabad has lost many of its natural water bodies over time, which served as buffers during heavy rains.
Inadequate Infrastructure Modernization: If Hyderabad’s drainage and storm water management systems are not upgraded to handle future rainfall patterns, the city will remain vulnerable to regular floods, even during moderate rainfall.
Measures for the Future
Restoration of Lakes: Protecting and rejuvenating the city's lakes and nalas is critical for managing excess water. Recently, state government conducting demolition drive led by Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRA) across the city. HYDRA, a body constituted recently by the state government, has so far reclaimed 50 acress of land by demolishing around 450 illegal structures on lakes and ponds.
Improved Urban Planning: Strict regulations on encroachment and sustainable urban planning will help mitigate the impact of future floods.
Upgrading Infrastructure: Modernizing the city’s drainage systems and creating floodwater management infrastructure, like retention ponds and better sewage networks, is essential.
Climate Resilience Planning: Incorporating climate change projections into city planning to prepare for more frequent and intense rainfall events is vital.
