Hyderabad: The city is heading towards a fresh water supply challenge as the Singur reservoir levels have sharply declined, prompting authorities to prepare for emergency pumping operations to maintain drinking water supply.
According to officials, the water level in Singur—one of Hyderabad’s key drinking water sources—has dropped significantly, falling from around 29 TMC to below 6 TMC, raising serious concerns about sustainability during the peak summer period.
In response, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) has initiated preparations for emergency pumping, marking a critical contingency measure to ensure uninterrupted supply to the city. This is the first such large-scale intervention since 2023.
Officials noted that the sharp decline in water levels is largely due to significant downstream water releases for dam repair works, along with increased evaporation during the ongoing heat conditions.
Apart from Singur, other major reservoirs such as Nagarjunasagar and Manjeera are also witnessing reduced storage levels, prompting authorities to keep emergency pumping arrangements on standby for multiple sources.
Together, these reservoirs contribute nearly 20% of Hyderabad’s total drinking water supply, accounting for approximately 120 million gallons per day (MGD) out of the city’s total requirement of around 576 MGD.
Despite the declining levels, the water board has assured that there is no immediate disruption in supply, although tanker services have been increased in groundwater-deficient and high-demand areas.
Officials have also highlighted that reservoirs like Osmansagar and Himayatsagar remain relatively stable, providing partial relief to the overall system.
Experts, however, caution that emergency pumping is only a short-term solution, stressing the need for long-term measures such as lake restoration, desilting, improved infrastructure, and sustainable water management practices to prevent recurring crises.
As Hyderabad continues to expand rapidly, the situation underscores the growing pressure on the city’s water resources and the urgent need for resilient urban water planning.
