Hyderabad: HMWSSB forms 16 teams to work on overflowing manholes

Khairatabad: In view of heavy rain, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) Managing Director M Dana Kishore on Monday directed all officials to be alert. He asked them to take precautionary measures and formed 16 teams to prevent overflowing of manholes in the city. During a meeting with board officials, Kishore said, "Precautionary measures should be taken to identify areas where sewerage overflow is frequent and prevent overflow of manholes."

To ensure this, about 16 ERT teams have been set up, with each team consisting of five personnel as well as other emergency equipment. The MD said that Airtech machines will soon be made available to officials for taking action during rain emergencies.

He said safety grills have been installed on nearly 22,000 manholes as part of the pre-monsoon operation this year. "All the water-logging points will be monitored by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) on a regular basis. The drainage work will also be managed with immediate effect. Removal of waste will be taken up, said Kishore. About the areas inundated, he said signboards of warning will be installed in the rain-affected spots. "Supervisors and field staff have been advised to make sure that safety equipment is available." He directed authorities to take special measures to prevent contamination of drinking water due to rain.

He advised city-dwellers not to open manhole covers under any circumstances. "If the manhole cover is damaged anywhere, people can call the Water Board customer care 155313."