Ranganath listed measures such as restoration of lakes and stormwater drains, desilting of nalas, protection of public utility lands, and removal of encroachments to reduce flood risks.
Hyderabad: Senior civil servants examined Hyderabad’s disaster management model at a national forum, with the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) discussed in detail during a five-day programme on municipal governance at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie. The event was attended by senior IAS officers from Central and State services, municipal commissioners, and officials from the National Disaster Management Authority and State Disaster Response Forces.
Addressing the session, HYDRAA commissioner A.V. Ranganath explained the agency’s origin, mandate and operational framework, linking its creation to rapid population growth in major Indian cities, including Hyderabad. He said HYDRAA was established to focus on preventive disaster management rather than post-disaster response.
Ranganath listed measures such as restoration of lakes and stormwater drains, desilting of nalas, protection of public utility lands, and removal of encroachments to reduce flood risks. He said the agency works on flood prevention during monsoons and addresses structural causes during non-rainy periods.
According to the Ranganath, HYDRAA has reclaimed about 1,313.19 acres of encroached land, including lakes, parks, roads and nalas, with an estimated value of ₹65,650 crore. He added that steps were underway to address encroachments along the Musi river basin.
Several officials attending the programme expressed interest in adopting a HYDRAA-like institutional model in other cities, citing the agency’s emphasis on prevention, clarity on land boundaries, and public engagement mechanisms such as grievance redressal.
