Hyderabad: With heavy rainfall predicted over the next few days, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has intensified inspections of dilapidated structures and ongoing cellar excavations across the city to prevent monsoon-related disasters.

In a high-level review meeting held, the GHMC Commissioner and Chief City Planner directed town planning officials to accelerate action on unsafe buildings and construction sites. The move comes after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a warning of intense rainfall (80–150 mm) in Hyderabad from 13 to 14 August.

GHMC cracks down on dilapidated buildings, cellar excavations

So far, the GHMC, out of 685 identified unsafe buildings, 327 have either been repaired or vacated. Notices have been issued for the remaining 358 structures, with officials pushing for immediate evacuation where necessary. Out of 154 ongoing cellar excavations, 61 sites have finished safety measures such as retaining walls. Work is in progress at 93 sites, while 52 unauthorized excavations face closure using construction debris.

The Commissioner flagged delays in Khairatabad, Secunderabad, and Charminar zones, instructing officials to expedite action. Authorities have been told to reinspect all critical structures, ensure occupants’ safety, and forcefully vacate buildings if needed.

Further instructions have been issued to inspect all critical dilapidated structures to ensure the safety of inmates and counsel them to vacate the structures. In case of already excavated cellars, the safety of adjoining structures is to be verified and further courses of action suggested.

“In addition to that, all the officers and staff of Town Planning have been instructed to be available during the coming days in view of the heavy rainfall prediction and also directed that no one shall proceed on leave or leave the headquarters without prior permission of the superior officer until and unless there is an emergency for leave,” read statement released by GHMC.