1908 Musi flood victims remembered at Hyderabad memorial

Victims of the 1908 Musi floods were remembered at a memorial programme at OGH in Hyderabad. Speakers stressed protecting the river’s natural channels and catchments, while a book on eyewitness accounts was unveiled and a traditional Musi Flood Lavani performance presented.

Hyderabad: Tributes were paid to the victims of the 1908 Musi River floods at a memorial programme held on Monday beneath the historic tamarind tree on the Osmania General Hospital (OGH) premises.

The memorial, organised by the Forum for a Better Hyderabad, brought together historians, students, and civil society members to remember the tragedy and advocate for sustainable urban planning.

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Speaking on the occasion, Chairman of the Forum for a Better Hyderabad, Manikonda Vedakumar, said that the natural flow channels and catchment areas of the Musi River must be fiercely protected.

“Saving the Musi means saving Hyderabad. Musi River and its natural flow channels must be given due importance in the future planning of Hyderabad. As the city continues to expand today, it is essential to protect the river’s catchment areas, lakes and natural storm-water channels,” he said.

During the event, a book titled ‘Eyewitness Accounts on River Musi Floods of 1908’, authored by Dr Dyavanpally Satyanarayana and published by the Deccan Heritage Academy Trust, was unveiled.

Dr Satyanarayana, on the occasion, said that contemporary writings, archival newspaper reports, and oral narratives remain deeply relevant to modern-day flood management.

On the occasion, Parashar presented a traditional Musi Flood Lavani performance, recounting the harrowing firsthand experiences passed down through generations.

Dignitaries urged that such historical accounts and local oral histories related to Musi floods must be shared with younger generations through modern documentation, maps, and visual media to ensure public safety and river conservation go hand in hand.