The CM said Hyderabad’s stormwater drainage, drinking water, sewage, and traffic systems must be reimagined with the needs of the next 100 years in mind
Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Friday directed officials to undertake a complete overhaul of Hyderabad’s civic and infrastructure systems to withstand heavy rainfall and prevent urban flooding, stressing that the revival of the Musi river is the only sustainable long-term solution to prevent flooding and waterlogging in the city.
Reviewing the situation after Thursday night’s heavy downpour, which brought the city to a standstill, the Chief Minister said the Hyderabad’s stormwater drainage, drinking water, sewage, and traffic systems must be reimagined with the needs of the next 100 years in mind. Some places in Hyderabad recorded up to 15 cm of rain in just four hours, far above the city’s drainage capacity, which he said is designed for only 5 cm.
The Chief Minister noted that climate change was causing shorter bursts of extremely heavy rainfall, resulting in disasters that paralyse daily life. Since June, the GHMC has recorded 16 per cent higher-than-normal rainfall. “In the past, such rainfall would be spread across three to four months. Now it is falling in a single day,” he observed.
To address this, Revanth Reddy instructed departments to prepare a permanent disaster mitigation plan. The core of this plan will be the Musi River Rejuvenation Project, covering 55 km within the city limits. The project aims to connect all water bodies — lakes, ponds, and stormwater drains — to the Musi, ensuring floodwaters are quickly channelled away from residential areas. Hussainsagar, Durgam Cheruvu, Mir Alam tank, and other lakes will be linked via widened drains, while sewage will be treated in STPs before release into the Musi river to ensure clean water flow.
The Chief Minister said this would not only solve flooding but also improve Hyderabad’s water security, ending contamination-related health issues in the Musi basin. Treated water could be supplied to industries and other non-potable uses through tankers. “A clean Musi will serve the city for the next century,” he said.
The Chief Minister also emphasised traffic management as a priority. Floods and rain exacerbate congestion, especially in the Old City. He called for special plans, including pedestrian zones and multi-level parking facilities around Charminar, Salar Jung Museum, the High Court, and Osmania Hospital to ease vehicle pressure on roads.
Officials were told to act immediately on the Musi project, with the dual goals of flood control and urban renewal. “Only by restoring the Musi can Hyderabad be safe from flooding for the next 100 years,” the Chief Minister said.
The meeting was attended by Chief Minister’s adviser Vem Narender Reddy, CMO secretary Manicka Raj, municipal administration and urban development Secretary Ilambarathi, HMDA and MRDCL heads, Rangareddy district officials, and senior engineers from various departments.
The Chief Minister warned that without structural changes, Hyderabad would face repeated urban flood crises every monsoon. “We must design and build for the future, not just repair for the present,” he said, directing all departments to work in coordination to execute the plan without delay.
