Monsoon watch: police map 156 waterlogging hotspots within Hyderabad Commissionerate limits

As the city braces for an active monsoon season, the Hyderabad City Police Commissionerate as part of its monsoon preparedness exercise has mapped 156 waterlogging locations within its jurisdiction and intensified preparations aimed at preventing traffic paralysis on some of its busiest roads.

The list identifies 48 major, 49 medium and 59 minor waterlogging points spread across eight traffic zones. Officials said the exercise was undertaken months in advance in coordination with civic and utility agencies to minimise disruptions caused by heavy rainfall.

The highest number of vulnerable locations has been identified in the Secunderabad traffic zone with 31 points, followed by Khairatabad with 28, Jubilee Hills with 27 and Golconda with 26. Chandrayangutta has 17 waterlogging points, Rajendranagar 11, Charminar nine and Shamshabad seven.

Several major waterlogging locations are situated along key traffic corridors that witness heavy commuter movement every day. Most of the identified locations are spread across high-traffic areas such as Panjagutta, Ameerpet, Secunderabad, Jubilee Hills, Tolichowki, Attapur and Malakpet, with several underpasses and low-lying junctions remaining vulnerable during heavy rain.

Hyderabad City Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar said preparations had started well before the arrival of the rains. “We began our monsoon preparedness exercise two to three months in advance. One of our key focus areas has been identifying vulnerable water-logging points across the city and closely coordinating with GHMC, HYDRA, HMWS&SB and TGSPDCL to ensure preventive measures are taken before the rains intensify,” he said.

“During the monsoon, traffic congestion tends to increase. To address this, we have deployed additional traffic personnel at critical junctions, strengthened real-time monitoring through our command and control systems, and put in place diversion and traffic management plans for areas prone to flooding and slow-moving traffic,” he said.

However, many commuters say several of the identified locations continue to witness severe congestion whenever heavy rain coincides with office hours. A software professional who travels daily between Marredpally and Hitec City said the Panjagutta and Ameerpet stretches remain among the most challenging corridors during the monsoon.

“Even a short spell of rain is enough to slow everything down. The roads may not always be flooded, but traffic builds up quickly and takes hours to ease. What should be a 30-minute commute often becomes close to an hour,” he said.

His concerns echo those expressed by several residents on social media following recent spells of rain.

A resident of Attapur who frequently uses the PVNR Expressway said waterlogging and traffic diversions often create uncertainty for motorists. “The concern is not just the water on the road. Once a few vehicles slow down or break down, traffic starts piling up across the entire stretch. People begin looking for alternate routes and that creates congestion in neighbouring areas as well,” he said.

Police officials said personnel have been stationed at critical locations, while command-and-control systems will continuously monitor conditions and facilitate rapid deployment of resources whenever rainfall affects traffic movement.

Mr. Sajjanar urged residents to help reduce congestion by changing travel habits during the rainy season.