GHMC clears 97 tonnes of waste on first day of monsoon drive

GHMC launches monsoon cleanliness drive

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) kicked off its annual pre-monsoon cleanliness drive on Tuesday, removing over 97 metric tonnes of waste from across the city on the very first day. The civic body has mobilised additional manpower and machinery to clear stormwater drains, roadside debris, and silt before the full onset of the monsoon.

According to GHMC officials, the drive will continue for the next several weeks, covering all 30 circles in the city. The focus is on preventing waterlogging and ensuring smooth drainage during heavy rains, which have increasingly caused urban flooding in Hyderabad in recent years.

Teams deployed across all zones

Special teams have been deployed in each zone, with supervisors tasked to monitor progress daily. The corporation is using mini-trucks, JCBs, and manual labour to clear accumulated waste from open drains, culverts, and low-lying areas.

Officials said the waste collected includes plastic bags, construction debris, and vegetation that had choked drainage lines. The drive will be carried out in a phased manner, with priority given to areas that witnessed waterlogging last year.

Residents asked to cooperate

The GHMC has urged residents not to throw solid waste into drains and to cooperate with sanitation workers during the drive. Citizens can report blocked drains or overflowing manholes through the corporation's helpline or mobile app.

Local ward officers have been directed to ensure that all major stormwater channels are cleaned before the next spell of rain. The civic body has also asked colonies and residential welfare associations to clear internal drains on their own premises.

Past floods spur action

Hyderabad has faced severe waterlogging in several recent monsoon seasons, leading to traffic snarls and property damage. The GHMC's pre-monsoon preparedness has come under scrutiny in the past, with residents complaining of slow response to drain blockages.

This year, the corporation claims to have prepared a detailed action plan, including mapping of vulnerable points and pre-positioning of pumps at underpasses and low-lying zones. Officials said the drive's progress will be reviewed weekly at the zonal commissioner level.

The monsoon drive is expected to continue for at least another month, depending on rainfall patterns. Officials have not yet confirmed the total amount of waste they aim to remove by the end of the drive, but said daily targets have been set for each zone.

Going forward, the GHMC plans to use IoT-based sensors in some critical drains to alert officials about blockages in real time. The effectiveness of this year's drive will be tested when the next heavy downpour hits the city.