Tue Sep 16 19:26:55 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Heavy flooding in the Afzal Sagar area of Hyderabad, India, has led to the disappearance of two men, Arjun and Ram, after they were swept away by floodwaters. The incident highlights the area’s vulnerability due to clogged drains, encroachment on a former lakebed, and a lack of civic planning. Residents recall previous floods and warn of future disasters without proper infrastructure and planning. The disappearance of Arjun and Ram is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by urbanization without adequate consideration for drainage and water management.

**News Article:**

**Hyderabad Flooding Claims Two Lives, Exposes Civic Neglect**

**Hyderabad, India – September 17, 2025** – Two men are missing and presumed dead after being swept away by floodwaters in the Afzal Sagar area of Hyderabad on Sunday night. The incident has sparked outrage and highlighted the ongoing issues of urban planning and neglected infrastructure in the city.

Arjun, 26, was reportedly standing near his home in Manggarodi Basti when he slipped and disappeared into the raging floodwaters. “He just slipped and disappeared,” said neighbor Pujari Lal. CCTV footage confirmed the tragic event. Ram, 25, was also swept away in the same incident. As of this morning, Arjun’s body remains untraced despite efforts from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), DRF and HYDRAA.

Residents say the area is prone to flooding, but this time, clogged drains exacerbated the problem. “The streets get flooded frequently… but this time, with the drains clogged, the water flowed unchecked,” explained Mohammed Manzoor, a local resident.

The disaster has also exposed the history of encroachment on what was once a vast lake, Afzal Sagar. According to historical records, the area was plotted for housing in 1978, effectively paving over a vital water body. “This area was all water. It was plotted out for houses in 1978,” said Rehman, a resident of Afzal Sagar.

Sajjad Shahid of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage warned of future disasters if civic planning is not prioritized. “Unless there is civic planning involved, we will see these kinds of disasters,” he said, recalling a similar flood in 1970.

The incident serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of rapid urbanization without proper drainage and water management infrastructure. The families of Arjun and Ram are left to mourn their loss, while the residents of Afzal Sagar fear for their safety as long as the area remains vulnerable to flooding.

Read More