Waterlogged, pothole-ridden roads lead to fatal accidents in Hyderabad

Three people have died in Hyderabad after their vehicles slipped on flooded, pothole-ridden roads. Experts warn poor maintenance and silt buildup make roads dangerous during rains. Authorities are urged to repair damaged roads and improve safety before more lives are lost

Hyderabad: Pothole-riddled roads and silt deposits on thoroughfares that witness frequent flooding are prone to rain-related mishaps. In recent days, at least three people were killed in the city after their vehicles skidded on flooded roads. In some cases, gushing waters even washed the victims away.

According to road safety experts, the first piece of advice for government authorities is to repair the roads with frequently flooded. “When the roads are flooded, people are unable to see what is on the road surface. Due to potholes, road cutting or speed breakers, or sand deposits, vehicles slip and fall into the water. Sometimes they die due to drowning if the water level is high. If the road repairs are done, it will minimise the risk of road mishaps and save lives,” points out Vinod Kanumala, a noted road safety expert from Hyderabad.

The roads in several stretches are flooded even if it rains for just fifteen minutes. Road safety experts point out that authorities have not geared up for the current rain patterns. “Merely posting teams to prevent flooding or ensure clearing will not help. A lot more should be done to prevent accidents,” he suggested.

Kanumala advised that in current rains where up to three to four feet of water accumulates on the roads, it is advisable for motorists—particularly those using two-wheelers—to stop for a while at a safe place and travel after the water subsides on the roads.

Lack of familiarity with the road conditions often leads to risk for the road users during rainy season. “A person who is new to a road stretch is unaware of road conditions and tries to negotiate the flooded roads. Doing such a thing is wrong and could turn fatal for the motorist,” explained a traffic police inspector.

The traffic police, on their part, post their personnel at places where there is flooding, advising the people against using the stretch. “On sub roads or colony roads, there is no one to alert the motorists about the danger, and mishaps are bound to happen here,” said K Srikanth, a food delivery boy, who is a resident of Uppal.

People suggest the authorities should identify such spots and take up the repair of the potholes, trenches, put caution boards and signage, and remove silt deposits on a war footing to save lives.