Residents of flood-prone areas worried, to vacate
● SHORT SPELLS of rain have already made residents apprehensive, as they claim that no arrangements have been made by authorities to flush out rainwater. They said that authorities failed to give them assurances of speedy action.
Fearing a repeat of the last monsoon — when residents of a few areas had to relocate temporarily due to severe waterlogging, or move permanently due to water damage, in some cases — residents are already moving out of their residences in Hafiz Babanagar, Nadeem Colony, Al Jubail Colony, Hashamnagar, Omer Colony and colonies around Trimulgherry lake.
Short spells of rain have already made residents apprehensive, as they claim that no arrangements have been made by authorities to flush out rainwater. They said that authorities failed to give them assurances of speedy action.
Sameena Banu, a resident of Hafiz Babanagar, has shifted to her parents’ place along with her children. “Last year, we suffered, as our home was inundated, electric appliances were gutted, and clothes and provisions went to waste. It’s better to move to a safer place,” she said.
At Trimulgherry, residents of Malani Enclave, Indian Airlines Colony, Padmanabha Colony and Surya Avenue are moving to other safer localities.
These colonies are surrounded by the Trimulgherry lake and were among the worst affected by heavy rains last October, as waterlogging extended up to the first floor of their residences. The lake overflow is a recurrent issue as sewerage from Defence and Cantonment areas are released in it.
Residents, however, alleged that instead of resolving problems, more sewerage lines are being to the lake by the authorities.
Kylasa Balarauj, a resident of Surya Avenue in Trimulgherry, said, “I have taken up a place at Kompally, I am moving there. We see there is no protection for us as this lake constantly floods. The Cantonment authorities have not even removed the silt from the lake. Because of the flooding, no one wants to rent our houses and there are no buyers either.”
Nagubandi Venkataramana, a resident of Malani Enclave, said, “Without any scientific research, the sewage is pumped into this lake. When the rains are heavy, this lake overflows and all our localities are submerged. A drain line was sanctioned five years ago, to divert the sewage, but still no work has been started.”