Living in ‘house boats’ literally!

HYDERABAD: There seems to be no end in sight to the plights of residents, from a clutch of colonies at Amberpet, who are trying to figure out a way to solve the problem of inundation of their apartment cellars with groundwater. In two-years in a row, their apartment cellars and lift pits have been flooded with ground water, seeping out from ground during monsoons.
Problem areas

The din of water pumps working incessantly, to pump out water from cellars, is a common sight at Srinath and Prajay Enclave, Maruti showroom and Govindulu apartments, along Amberpet main road. Locals inform that these days, they just have to dig 10 feet deep for groundwater.

Residents perennially live in a state of fear, lest the foundations or pillars of the apartments crumble because of constant touch with water. None of the officials from water board and GHMC have been able to exactly pinpoint the reason behind this phenomenon, residents complain. Officials have not come up with any solution too, residents rue.

In 2006, when this problem surfaced, researchers from National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), who visited the sites to collect water samples for tests, had warned about recurrence of the problem during ensuing monsoons. In their report, researchers had advocated proper utilisation of ground water to avoid such situations.
500 families affected

“Nearly 500 families are affected. A year back officials came here and told us that they have to re-lay water pipes and storm water drains. They said seeping of ground water will decrease if storm water drains are given proper outlet. Since then, no one has showed-up,” says president for Srinath Enclave Flat Owners Welfare Association Mr. K. Srinivas.

Interior colonies like Bharatnagar, colonies near Ayyappa temple and Pamula Basthi also are witnessing the same phenomenon. “Any moment a short circuit can occur due to water. We are spending lot of money on diesel for the pumps. What happens if a part of the building collapses?” asks T. Mahalakshmi, a housewife at Prajay apartments.

NGRI researchers had surmised that 24-hour water supply at Amberpet area had led to increase of water table, as residents have reduced groundwater usage.