Hyderabad lakes CCTV monitoring under HYDRAA aims to secure water bodies, prevent flooding

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) is extending its surveillance measures with a plan for Hyderabad lakes CCTV monitoring across 185 lakes. The move involves installing solar-powered 4G IP cameras, for which tenders have already been released.

This decision follows earlier efforts to provide continuous monitoring for lakes around the ORR. A survey identified 549 lakes, leading to 411 preliminary notifications and 138 final notifications.

Hyderabad lakes CCTV monitoring ties ecology with urban safety

Currently, 70 lakes are guarded on a 24-hour basis with seven security personnel per lake. HYDRAA selected 400 guards through outsourcing, giving them three days of training before deployment.

Officials explained that protecting lakes not only deters encroachments but also helps manage stormwater and prevent seasonal flooding in Hyderabad. In addition, the agency has taken up beautification and restoration efforts. Batkamma Kunta and Nallagandla Lake have already been upgraded with boating trials, while Sanam Lake, Thammidi Kunta, Uppal Nalla Lake, and Bum Rukn-ud-Doula Lake are in progress.

Experts say this integrated approach highlights the importance of lakes as ecological buffers within Hyderabad’s expanding urban landscape.