Heavy Rains Trigger Rockfall in Malkajgiri; HYDRAA, GHMC Team Up to Clear Giant Boulder

Hyderabad: A major mishap was narrowly averted in Malkajgiri’s Gautam Nagar, when a huge boulder unexpectedly rolled down a hill around 11 a.m. on Thursday, crushing a GHMC garbage trolley parked below. Fortunately, there were no casualties as the area was relatively deserted at the time.

According to residents, the incident occurred following continuous showers and gusty winds since Wednesday night, which may have loosened the mud and rocks on the hillside. Locals believe that the softened soil caused the massive stone to slip from the slope and crash down onto the road.

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Upon receiving the alert, HYDRAA’s Disaster Response Force (DRF) rushed to the scene and coordinated with GHMC personnel to remove the giant rock. Using heavy equipment, the teams broke the boulder into smaller pieces and cleared it from the site by 9:30 p.m., restoring normalcy in the area.

This is not the first time such an incident has occurred. Residents recalled that similar rockfalls were reported in May during heavy rains. The hillside is known to be unstable, and several sanitation workers had been living in makeshift shelters atop the hill. Sensing the risk, HYDRAA officials had earlier evacuated those temporary settlements in July, a move that locals now say prevented a potential tragedy.

Residents also pointed out that a weekly market is organized at the base of the hill every Saturday, which could have led to a disaster had the incident occurred on a market day. They expressed gratitude to HYDRAA and GHMC for their swift and efficient response in averting further danger.