Hyderabad’s 1908 Flood Markers Vanish

Hyderabad: The high flood level (HFL) markers of Hyderabad—etched on buildings as a grim reminder of the devastating 1908 Musi River floods—are vanishing, damaged or lost along with the structures they once marked.

These markers, installed by the Nizam’s government in 1914, were engraved onto bridges, public buildings and heritage sites to record the flood’s maximum water levels and to guide future urban planning. But most are now either broken, neglected or no longer visible due to lack of maintenance and demolition of old structures.

The Musi River had surged to terrifying levels on September 27 and 28, 1908—rising 17 feet in Afzalgunj, 14 feet above the Puranapul bridge and 13 feet in Chaderghat—killing thousands before the waters receded on the afternoon of September 28.

Of the original markers installed across the city, only about 15 have survived. Even these are barely visible. For example, the marker on the Diwan-e-Deodi arch has been completely destroyed, while another in Hussaini Alam is half-broken.

“In Hussaini Alam, markers on certain mosques are broken and the one on Diwan-e-Deodi is already gone. Some are completely removed, but a few intact ones still remain and must be preserved. These markers are vital—they indicate the zero level of the flood,” said Sibghat Khan, founder of Deccan Archives.

He explained that the purpose of the markers was not just historical but practical: to remind citizens to respect the river, avoid construction on floodplains and plan the city with flood risk in mind. “There is no official protection for these markers, and the government does not have records of where they are located,” he said.

INTACH Hyderabad convenor P. Anuradha Reddy said the HFL markers are part of Hyderabad’s historical identity and should not be ignored. “They are still relevant. The 1908 floods are the main reason Hyderabad developed a proper flood control and drought management system, providing water today even in summers,” she said.

The devastation triggered a wave of reforms. The 7th Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, set up the City Improvement Board in 1914 and built two major reservoirs—Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar—on the advice of experts such as Sir M. Visvesvaraya and Ali Nawaz Jung.

“At that time, reservoirs like Gandipet and Himayat Sagar didn’t exist. These were constructed after the 1908 floods to prevent flash floods and ensure water supply,” said Vedakumar Manikonda, chairman of the Forum for a Better Hyderabad.

To this day, on every September 28, historians and local groups gather at a tamarind tree inside the south gate of Osmania Hospital to honour the victims. The tree stands as a living memorial—nearly 150 people had climbed it to escape the floodwaters and survived.