Hyderabad, October 13, 2026: The Telangana government has stepped up measures to ensure an uninterrupted drinking water supply across Hyderabad in anticipation of the potential impact of El Niño. Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju has directed officials to optimise available water resources and take preventive measures to avoid inconvenience to residents.
The Chief Secretary chaired a review meeting on Tuesday to assess drinking water supply preparedness across the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation (MMC) and Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC) areas.
He appealed to citizens to conserve water and cooperate with the government’s efforts to manage the city’s water requirements.
Hyderabad Plans Additional 60 MGD Water Supply
Officials informed the meeting that Hyderabad’s drinking water supply primarily depends on Osman Sagar, Himayat Sagar, Manjeera, Krishna and Godavari water sources, with approximately 560 million gallons per day (MGD) available from these sources.
To meet the city’s requirements, authorities have drawn up a plan to arrange an additional 60 MGD of water through supplementary sources and supply arrangements.
The Chief Secretary emphasised the need to utilise available resources efficiently, particularly if reservoir levels decline due to El Niño-related conditions.
Groundwater Decline Increases Water Tanker Demand
Sanjay Jaju observed that groundwater levels in Hyderabad had fallen significantly over the previous two to three months compared with the same period last year, leading to increased demand for water tankers.
Hyderabad Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) officials said special green tankers were being arranged to supply treated wastewater for suitable non-drinking purposes.
The initiative is intended to reduce the use of drinking water for activities that can be carried out using treated wastewater.
Alternative Water Sources for Four Districts
The government is also preparing alternative arrangements for Medak, Nizamabad, Kamareddy and Sangareddy districts, which depend on the Manjeera and Singur reservoirs.
Officials have already identified borewells and other alternative water sources in the respective districts. The Chief Secretary assured officials that drinking water supply remains a top government priority and that adequate funds would be made available for the necessary measures.
Water Conservation Could Save 80 MGD Daily
Highlighting the importance of public participation, Sanjay Jaju said that conserving just 20 per cent of water across the three municipal corporations could save approximately 80 MGD every day.
He directed officials to take strict action to prevent water wastage, particularly the use of HMWSSB-supplied drinking water for washing vehicles.
The authorities have also been instructed to launch an extensive 60-day public awareness campaign focusing on water conservation and responsible water use. Film stars, celebrities and other prominent personalities will be encouraged to participate in the campaign to increase public awareness.
Chief Secretary Appeals to Citizens to Save Water
Urging residents to recognise the value of every drop, Sanjay Jaju called for collective action to address potential water supply challenges associated with El Niño.
The government is focusing on efficient water management, alternative supply arrangements and public cooperation to help maintain a reliable drinking water supply across Greater Hyderabad.
Residents are encouraged to avoid unnecessary water use, prevent leakage and wastage, and use treated wastewater wherever appropriate for non-drinking purposes.
