New Delhi / Hyderabad: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has appreciated the lake restoration initiatives undertaken by HYDRA, stating that its measures to control urban flooding could serve as a model for other cities across the country.
During discussions on urban flood management, NDMA highlighted the importance of restoring interconnected lake systems, observing that the revival of traditional water bodies and drainage networks could help reduce flooding in urban areas. It also noted that rapid urbanisation has led to the disappearance of lakes and stormwater drains, contributing to recurring flood problems.
HYDRA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath, who has been appointed by the Telangana government as the nodal officer for a Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) meeting on urban flood management, met senior NDMA officials in New Delhi on Monday. He was accompanied by HYDRA Additional Director Varla Papaiah and Yunus Parvez, Director of Vimos Technocrats, the organisation overseeing lake restoration works in Hyderabad.
During the meeting, Commissioner Ranganath delivered a PowerPoint presentation outlining HYDRA’s initiatives to restore lakes and stormwater drains across Hyderabad. He explained that restoration work on six lakes had been completed in the first phase. According to him, the areas surrounding these lakes experienced no flooding during the rainy season, while desilting had also contributed to improved groundwater levels.
He further highlighted the development of stormwater drains at Patny in Secunderabad, Ameerpet and Sriram Nagar near Sundarayya Vignana Kendram. The presentation included comparisons of conditions before and after the removal of encroachments along drainage channels, illustrating the impact of the interventions.
The Commissioner also briefed NDMA officials on the second phase, which covers 14 lakes, as well as plans to restore four major lakes located in different parts of Hyderabad. Publications documenting HYDRA’s activities were presented to the officials.
The meeting was attended by NDMA Head of Division Krishna S. Vastava, Secretary Neelkanth S. Avhad, adviser Colonel Keerthi Pratap Singh, Secretary Chandan Singh and other officials. Discussions also focused on the challenges faced during the removal of encroachments and the implementation of restoration projects.
NDMA officials reportedly assured the HYDRA team that steps would be considered to facilitate appropriate financial support through NDMA and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
Commissioner Ranganath is scheduled to participate in the urban flood management conference in New Delhi on Tuesday, organised under the leadership of the Additional Secretary for Disaster Management in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, where he will present details of HYDRA’s initiatives.
The discussions underscore the importance of lake conservation, restoration of stormwater drainage networks and coordinated planning in strengthening urban flood management.
