Hyderabad Water Crisis: Government’s Response Strategies
As concerns mount over diminishing water levels in reservoirs throughout the state, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) is taking proactive measures to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply to the city.
With reservoir levels rapidly declining, HMWS&SB authorities are implementing alternative strategies to extract water. This includes the installation of separate motors and the establishment of an efficient electricity supply system to operate these motors.
The Yellampalli project, vital for both irrigation and supplying drinking water to Hyderabad. Mission Bhagiratha, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), and Ramagundam Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited (RFCL). Currently draws approximately 56 cusecs (0.03 TMC) of water daily using six motors with a capacity of 6.6 KV each.
However, concerns arise as pumping water from the project becomes unfeasible below 138.3 meters. Presently, the reservoir level stands at 141.75 meters (7.08 TMC) of water. Projected to decrease to 138.3 meters by the end of April.
To address this issue, HMWS&SB authorities are constructing a 1.8 km earthen road leading to the head regulator near the gravity canal. Additionally, they are installing 25 motors, each with a capacity of 125 HP, at the project site to facilitate water extraction.
Hyderabad Water Crisis: Government’s Response Strategies
Electricity transformers have been set up, along with electric wires equipped with 100 conductors. Fixed to 11 electric poles, to power these motors. The water drawn through temporary motors will be channeled into HMWS&SB’s gravity canal. And subsequently supplied to Hyderabad using regular motors.
This process is expected to commence within the next 20 days. With provisions made to supply water to RFCL and Mission Bhagiratha from the gravity canal.
In response to the severe water crisis, HMWS&SB has decided to deploy its new fleet of 170 mini water tankers, each with a capacity of 2,500 liters, to ensure faster delivery of water to consumers. Additionally, a fine of Rs 5,000 will be imposed on houses and residential apartments found wasting drinking water.
Furthermore, preparations are underway for emergency pumping operations from the Nagarjuna Sagar Project. To address the imminent water scarcity and meet the drinking water requirements of Hyderabad. The state government is also in discussions with Karnataka to request releases from the Narayanpur dam and is preparing to extract water from the Singur project to mitigate the worsening situation anticipated by May 5 without emergency releases from upstream sources.