Telangana to soon set up nodal agency for flood plain zoning: Irrigation Minister

Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said that a dedicated nodal agency will be constituted for Flood Plain Zoning in Telangana, and assured that the first river stretches for demarcation - along with mapping of vulnerable pockets - will be identified before the upcoming monsoon. Underscoring the need for desiltation of irrigation projects, he sought support from both the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Inaugurating a workshop on Flood Plain Zoning for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, organised by the Krishna and Godavari Basin Organisation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, at MCHRD, on Wednesday, he presented a detailed roadmap to address the recurring floods and the extensive devastation they cause in the State. He recalled several past floods that had resulted in immense loss.

Stating that every flood is different and requires proper planning, he remarked that floods are “not merely an act of nature — they are a mirror reflecting our own neglect,” referring to decades of encroachment on floodplains, filling of wetlands, narrowing of channels and blockage of natural drainage systems.

Calling the Musi River Rejuvenation Project one of the most ambitious urban river restoration initiatives in the country, the Minister emphasised that the replicable model would help address similar challenges in dense urban areas. He noted that just five days ago, the Detailed Project Plans for Phase 1 of the Musi Riverfront Development were unveiled. The project fully incorporates the CWC Flood Plain Zoning guidelines and demarcates Protected and Regulatory Zones along the Musi corridor.

He outlined Telangana’s preparedness to tackle the situation through special measures including table-top exercises, mock drills, GIS mapping and forecasting upgrades. He appealed to policymakers, academicians, startups, industry stakeholders and communities to join hands in this endeavour.