Hyderabad, June 14 -- In an attempt to prevent urban flooding ahead of the monsoon, Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency (HYDRAA) commissioner AV Ranganath on Friday, June 13, directed officials to expedite the removal of garbage and encroachments from major stormwater drains, particularly in Chintal Basti and surrounding areas.

During an inspection of the Bulkapur drain expansion works, Ranganath noted that a 15-metre-wide section of the nala near Banjara Hills Road No 12 and the Pinchanu Office had been encroached upon by nearly seven metres towards Chintal Basti. The encroachments were cleared earlier this week, but officials noted that a portion of the culvert remains obstructed.

Ranganath instructed JCBs to be d...