Hyderabad: Metro Water Board presses 16 teams to tackle monsoon woes in city

Hyderabad: In view of heavy rain, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) on Tuesday flagged off 16 monsoon safety teams to address monsoon-related grievances.

The monsoon emergency vehicles were flagged off by HMWS&SB managing director Dana Kishore at the board head office.

Speaking on the occasion, he said, "16 monsoon safety teams have been set up across the city to ensure continuous availability during the monsoon season. There would be five members in each team; special vehicles would be available for 24 hours a day."

He said the vehicles would have de-watering motors with generators to clear water logging immediately.

Equipment like guards, safety ropes and other materials have been made available in the vehicles. The teams will pay special attention to the 211 waterlogged areas identified by the GHMC.

Sixteen mini-vehicles are also being made available. The MD instructed officials to monitor rainwater harvesting areas and ensure waste from drainage is removed continuously.

He said warning boards should be set up near manholes in flood-prone areas; sewage supervisors must monitor deep manholes. The field staff should take steps to ensure proper use of protective equipment.

However, as part of the pre-monsoon plan, repairs had already been done to manholes, including safety grills, Kishore stated.

The board asked citizens to reach out to customer care number 155313 for lodging grievances related to monsoon. Director of operations 1 Ajmira Krishna, director of operations 2 Swamy and other senior officials were present.