20 colonies face flood threat as water in two Secunderabad lakes rise

SECUNDERABAD: Over 20 residential colonies in Secunderabad are facing flood threats as water levels in Ramannakunta lake and Hasmathpet lake were rising dangerously, officials said. Many by-lanes in Sitarampur area near Ramannakunta lake at Bowenpally in Secunderabad Cantonment reported heavy water logging.
Unfinished laying of sewer lines to prevent sewage into the lake is one reason for inundation of streets.“Our troubles have been continuing for the past nearly three decades and we do not know when we will get rid of them,” Sai Kiran, a resident of Sitarmpur told TOI. All the rainwater is now entering the bylanes and causing inconvenience, said Kiran.
SCB senior superintendent (SWM), M Devender said they tried to complete the sewer lines works ahead of monsoon, but were delayed due to shortage of labour. “The rainwater coming from upstream areas of GHMC, now flowing in the by-lanes, instead of the lake,” Devender said. In fact, special teams have been deployed at Ramannakunta lake to tackle any flood situation, he said. While over 500 families of another 15 colonies along the nalas in SCB ward no-VI, also under the grip of panic after water levels at Hasmathpet lake reached full reservoir level.
Last October, water overflowed from this water body and the retaining walls of the Cantonment’s nalas were completely washed away. Keeping in view the flooding of the areas in 2020, several residential welfare associations (RWAs) have sent representations to the cantonment board for strengthening the nalas, but till date, the works have not been initiated on ground.
The superintendent said they had inspected the lake last month and found that some civil works were in progress at the bund portion. A total of eight special teams have been formed to tackle incessant rains related issues to cover all eight SCB wards in the Cantonment.