Lake Restoration Crucial for Flood Control in Hyderabad
HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath stressed the importance of restoring lakes for flood control during a BRICS Summit in Puri, highlighting HYDRAA's efforts to reclaim land and enhance urban resilience.
Highlights
- •HYDRAA has restored 6 lakes and is working on 18 more
- •An acre of lake can store up to eight million liters of floodwater
- •HYDRAA reclaimed 2,182 acres of land from encroachments worth $9.48 billion
- •Lakes serve as a critical tool for mitigating urban flooding and disaster management
HYDERABAD: Commissioner of HYDRAA, A.V. Ranganath, emphasized the importance of strengthening preparedness against rising flood risks during the second BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Summit held in Puri, Odisha. His intervention highlighted the immediate need for urban centers to enhance their resilience against weather-related hazards.
Lake Restoration Initiative
Ranganath spoke about HYDRAA's ongoing efforts to restore water bodies and reclaim land encroached upon by illegal structures, citing that 6 lakes have already been revitalized while work is underway on 18 more. According to his presentation, an acre of restored lake area can store between four and eight million liters of floodwater.
Highlighting HYDRAA's achievements, Commissioner Ranganath mentioned the agency has reclaimed approximately 2,182 acres of land from encroachments on lakes, drainage channels, parks, and other public spaces, with a projected value estimated at about $9.48 billion or ₹80,000 crore.
"Today's preparedness ensures tomorrow's safety," underscored Ranganath, representing Telangana in the National Disaster Management Authority-organized summit from June 3 to 5. His remarks echo the critical link between urban flood management and long-term disaster resilience strategies.
