East zone residents still living in knee level water

Hyderabad: Though the rain scenario improved in the last four days, areas like the Ayyappa Colony, MS Makta, MidhunanNagar, Srinivasa Colony, Lingojiguda, Sriramnagar Colony and Tapovan Colony were still experiencing the problem of waterlogging on Tuesday.

The stagnant rain water mixed with overflowing drains have been making life miserable. Residents were seen using water pumps, buckets and utensils to pump out water from their houses and lawns in Saroornagar, Ayyappa Colony and Bandlaguda.

Many residents in these areas have shifted temporarily to the homes of relatives elsewhere and returned to pick valuables from their homes by wading through knee-deep water. Most of these colonies are located close to lakes, which were still full to the brim.

"Our house has been flooded with rainwater and drainage water for more than four days. We are worried about the spread of seasonal diseases now,” says Narasimha Reddy, president of the Srinivasanagar Colony Association.

He said some miscreants have illegally constructed convention halls and other commercial establishments on banks of a lake on the upstream Ayyappa Colony. Miscreants have blocked the weir and sluice near the outlet channel apart from choking the sewer network. As a result, lake water mixed with the sewerage has been flowing in downstream Bandlaguda colonies, where life has become nightmarish.

"We have staged dharnas in the past, seeking a permanent solution to water-logging in our colony. Officials were not responding. Though civic officials visited the colony on Saturday and started to drain water out, repair works have not begun yet. We have lost faith in them since the same assurance was given last year too," rued Prashanti, a resident of Ayyappa Colony. She pointed out that the authorities have been absent from the scene and the residents are forced to clear the debris and muddy water themselves.

The heavy rainfall which caused havoc in the city has also resulted in a mosquito menace while other seasonal diseases have also surfaced in several residential areas due to stagnation of water on the roads and colony premises.

A GHMC official said back-to-back holidays have hit the restoration works. The corporation would focus on the restoration and rehabilitation works from Wednesday, he said, adding they would soon provide a permanent solution for inundation in low-lying areas and check the spread of seasonal diseases. On the Bandlaguda waterlogging, officials said the residents have encroached the lake and are bearing the brunt. A solution would take time, he stressed.