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Tag: Osman Sagar

  • Telangana Prepares to Ensure Uninterrupted Drinking Water Supply in Hyderabad Amid El Niño Concerns

    Telangana Prepares to Ensure Uninterrupted Drinking Water Supply in Hyderabad Amid El Niño Concerns

    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.

  • Hyderabad Water Crisis: Expert Calls for Emergency Protocol Before Summer 2027

    Hyderabad Water Crisis: Expert Calls for Emergency Protocol Before Summer 2027

    Hyderabad: With rainfall deficits, declining groundwater levels and a sharp increase in tanker demand, public policy expert Dr Donthi Narasimha Reddy has urged the Telangana government to introduce a graded water emergency protocol before summer 2027 to safeguard drinking water supplies and protect vulnerable communities.

    In a representation to Telangana Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju, Reddy highlighted concerns over the state’s water situation. Telangana reportedly recorded a 15–18% southwest monsoon deficit, while Hyderabad faced a deficit of around 28%. Groundwater levels had already entered the season under stress, with several borewells reportedly failing and tanker demand increasing significantly.

    Reddy pointed to the sharp rise in water tanker requirements in Hyderabad, with demand reportedly reaching thousands of bookings a day. He also raised concerns about the levels of Osman Sagar, Singur and other water sources, which were below their levels during the same period a year earlier.

    Although the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board has assured adequate supplies until summer 2027, Reddy cautioned that groundwater availability remains a major uncertainty. He said water shortages could disproportionately affect low-income households that depend on borewells and private tankers.

    Proposed Water Emergency Triggers

    Reddy recommended establishing publicly available triggers based on:

    • Reservoir storage levels
    • Number of days of assured water supply
    • Groundwater levels
    • Daily tanker demand
    • Weather and rainfall forecasts

    Based on these indicators, restrictions could be automatically tightened or relaxed depending on the severity of the situation.

    He proposed giving the highest priority to drinking water, domestic needs, hospitals and sanitation, followed by water requirements for animals, ecological systems and livelihood-critical activities.

    Restrictions and Groundwater Management

    The proposals include restrictions on non-essential water use such as construction activities, car washing, swimming pools and excessive landscaping. Reddy also called for bulk-user metering, progressive water tariffs, comprehensive groundwater mapping and stronger implementation of the WALTA framework.

    For tanker services, he suggested regulated rates, GPS-based tracking and regular water-quality checks to improve transparency and prevent exploitation during periods of shortage.

    Protecting Farmers, Livestock and Lakes

    The proposed emergency plan also focuses on communities whose livelihoods depend on water. Reddy sought support measures for farmers, fishers and dairy workers, along with drinking-water points for animals and waterholes in forest areas.

    He also stressed the need to protect Hyderabad’s lakes and other water bodies as part of long-term water security.

    Chief Secretary-Led Emergency Coordination

    Reddy proposed establishing a Chief Secretary-led water emergency coordination cell, supported by ward-level committees and a public dashboard showing key water indicators.

    He has also called for a 30-day action plan with clearly defined responsibilities, deadlines and measurable targets.

    The proposals aim to ensure that Hyderabad is better prepared for potential water stress during summer 2027, while creating a transparent system through which emergency measures can be introduced before shortages become critical.