Secunderabad: Defence Colony residents left stranded as govt fails to act on flooding

HYDERABAD: Heavy rains in Hyderabad once again brought life to a halt in several areas, with the R&D Defence Colony in Ward 5, Secunderabad, among the worst affected. Residents said the colony floods even after 10 minutes of rain, forcing people to stay indoors or wade through knee-deep water.

Residents complained that the flooding is not confined to the roads. “It’s like a river flowing from Kharkhana. The speed at which water gushes through the colony makes it extremely dangerous, especially for older citizens,” said Vinay Kumar, a software professional and member of the residents’ welfare association (RWA).

Residents allege blocked drains, neglected roads

According to residents, neighbouring colonies have blocked their drains, diverting water into R&D Defence Colony. An open nala adjacent to the area, which they said has not been cleared for years, worsens the problem. “Every time we lodge a complaint, officials tell us they don’t have funds. The roads are full of potholes that become invisible during rains, causing injuries,” said Lakshmi Pathy, general secretary of the RWA, pointing to a bruise on his knee.

Mosquito menace adds to woes

The open nala has also become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, residents said, leading to frequent dengue and malaria cases. “Not once have the authorities carried out fogging. Visit any house here and you’ll find mosquito nets covering the front doors,” said Venkata Ramana, vice-president of the RWA.

Officials of the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) said work to renovate the nala is in progress. “We are dismantling the slabs covering the nala. Once widened, its capacity will increase and the waterlogging problem will reduce. The work will take 45–60 days,” said cantonment engineer Uma Shankar.