Hyderabad Sewage Overflow Worsens: Mosquitoes, Stench And Traffic Chaos Hit Colonies

The article reports on overflowing underground drains in Hyderabad, highlighting capacity constraints, limited treatment, and staffing shortages at the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board. It examines community impact, including traffic disruption, health concerns, and calls for accountability and improved maintenance.

Overflowing underground drains are sending sewage across several Hyderabad residential streets, bringing a persistent stench, swarms of mosquitoes and traffic snarls. Residents describe daily life as disrupted, with foul water pooling near homes and shops, and complain that official responses from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board remain slow and inconsistent.

One colony resident told officials, "Sir, sewage from the underground drainage line is overflowing onto roads in our colony. The stench is unbearable and movement has become difficult," highlighting how basic movement and routine travel are affected when drains spill repeatedly onto already narrow roads and busy local lanes.

Hyderabad drainage system struggles with capacity

Across the city, Hyderabad drainage and sewerage infrastructure appears under pressure as wastewater volumes grow. Official figures show sewage from nearly 6.30 lakh manholes generates around 2,500 million litres per day. Of this total flow, only 1,978 MLD is reportedly treated before discharge into the Musi river, leaving a sizeable gap in treatment capacity.

Hyderabad drainage networks cover almost 10,000 km of underground pipelines within the Outer Ring Road. Earlier, 150 divisions reportedly had one Airtech machine each to clear silted drainage lines. Officials stated that about 20 of these machines remain under repair at any given time, further slowing responses to repeated clogging complaints.

Community response to Hyderabad drainage failures

Residents who reach out to the Hyderabad drainage department say they are often told only trunk underground lines will be cleared. An official reportedly told a colony association representative, "If it is a main UGD line, we will take it up. Residents must clear drainage issues on colony link roads themselves. It is not our responsibility."

Colony welfare groups contest this stance, pointing out that households pay 35% underground drainage charges along with the water tax. Officials have reportedly cited a shortage of workers and referred matters to higher authorities, which residents feel delays action while sewage continues to enter streets and public spaces unchecked.

Localised Hyderabad drainage issues and labour gaps

In many Hyderabad drainage problem spots, silted lines are usually cleared manually using chains. Officials say at least three workers are needed to handle a single complaint. However, the available workforce is considered inadequate for about 300 divisions, leaving many reported blockages pending for days or even longer.

Colony welfare associations say even a quarter of daily Hyderabad drainage complaints are not resolved. Residents of gated communities and new layouts allege officials are asking them to hire private cleaners. Associations report that securing such workers is difficult and residents sometimes pay up to ₹1,500 for each manhole cleaning, with overflows occurring four to five times every month.

Specific colonies report serious Hyderabad drainage impacts. In Hattiguda, under Pedda Amberpet division in the Hayathnagar-Nagole circle, residents say two-bedroom housing units were built without proper drainage outlet connections. Sewage is now flowing onto the Bommalagudi-RNR Colony road, which is used daily by thousands of commuters, causing traffic risks and health concerns for regular users.

Near the Adarsh Nagar Colony Welfare Association building, sewage water has reportedly stagnated in an open plot, creating a strong smell and heavy mosquito breeding. Residents describe the Hyderabad drainage situation there as a clear health hazard, with concerns about disease spread growing as repeated complaints bring limited and temporary relief at best.