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Tag: Water Management

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.

Hyderabad Secures Drinking Water Supply Until Summer 2027 as Godavari Reservoirs Overflow

Hyderabad residents can breathe a sigh of relief as the city’s drinking water supply has been secured until Summer 2027, thanks to heavy monsoon rains that have significantly increased water levels in Godavari-linked reservoirs. Officials from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) confirmed that the recent spell of continuous rainfall has transformed the city’s water outlook, easing concerns over future shortages.

Earlier, authorities had estimated that the available water reserves would last only until November 2026. However, abundant rainfall across Telangana has dramatically improved storage levels in major reservoirs, extending Hyderabad’s drinking water security by several more months.

One of the biggest contributors to this improvement is the Sripada Yellampalli Project on the Godavari River. The project currently supplies around 162 million gallons of water per day (MGD) to Hyderabad. Following the recent rains, inflows into the reservoir surged to nearly 1.91 lakh cusecs, causing water storage to rise from 8.1 TMC to over 16.2 TMC within just a few days. The project continues to provide nearly 10 TMC of drinking water annually to the city.

The Kadem Reservoir has also reached full capacity due to heavy inflows, prompting authorities to open five floodgates. Officials resumed pumping water to the Nandi Pump House and other connected projects, further strengthening the water distribution network.

Meanwhile, ongoing repair and maintenance work at the Singur Reservoir temporarily reduced its water supply from the usual 75 MGD to around 69.5 MGD. Despite this reduction, officials assured that the increased inflows from Godavari-linked projects would comfortably compensate for the shortfall, ensuring uninterrupted drinking water supply across Hyderabad.

Currently, the HMWSSB supplies approximately 550 million gallons of drinking water every day to Hyderabad. Water is sourced from six major reservoirs, including Singur, Manjira, Krishna, Godavari, Osman Sagar, and Himayat Sagar. The recent monsoon has significantly strengthened these reserves, providing confidence that the city will have adequate water resources well into next summer.

Officials have welcomed the improved reservoir levels, stating that the strong monsoon has not only secured Hyderabad’s immediate water needs but also enhanced long-term water management and sustainability. Citizens are nevertheless encouraged to continue using water responsibly and avoid unnecessary wastage to ensure efficient utilization of the available resources.