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Water crisis blows over
Highlights
Water Crisis Blows Over, Inflows Into Osmansagar And Himayatsagar, Heavy Rains In AP. Hyderabadis can heave a sigh of relief as the ‘water crisis’ that appeared imminent has blown over, thanks to reasonable inflows into Osmansagar and Himayatsagar.
‘Enough to tide over the dry summer months’
A few months ago Osmansagar and Himayatsagar, main sources of drinking water to the city, were almost parched. Due to subsequent inflows the water bodies have brought cheer and hope to the authorities. There is no reason to be alarmed and the crisis can be managed, says Water Board Managing Director J Syamala Rao
T P Venu
Hyderabadis can heave a sigh of relief as the ‘water crisis’ that appeared imminent has blown over, thanks to reasonable inflows into Osmansagar and Himayatsagar -- the two main reservoirs that meet the bulk of drinking water requirements in the city. The situation was rather grim in July, when, in spite of the monsoon setting in early, the inflows into the two reservoirs were negligible, with the authorities estimating gains of just “a few days of water”. Today the water levels have gone up significantly so much so that Osmansagar can support the city for 198 days and Himayatsagar for 152 days.
Initiatives such as cleaning of inflow channels during summer months have paid off. Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board Managing Director J Syamala Rao said, “The cleaning up of channels and clearing obstructions have helped. The situation would have been better if there was good rainfall in the catchment areas. But there is no reason to be alarmed as 16.5 tmc allocation from the Krishna river for Hyderabad is enough to tide over the dry summer months.”
Keeping in view the requirements in summer, the Water Board though is drawing only 22 mgd as against 40 mgd. The volume of water at Osmansagar and Himayatsagar is just 25 per cent of the storage capacity of the reservoirs. The last time Osmansagar reached full tank level was in 2010.
When water in the reservoir reaches the full tank level, it would suffice for two years. The rain gods have played hide and seek over the past few years and the twin cities have not received copious rainfall save in 2010. Prior to 2010, the last time Osmansagar reached full tank was in the year 2000. A few months ago, the Water Board was forced to take drastic steps such as cutting down on supply to bulk consumers, installing emergency pumps, rescheduling supply timings and restricting supply even during festivals. Today, water is supplied by force of gravity.
D Sunder Ram Reddy, director, (Technical), Water Board said, “The pumps have been removed, but we are taking a cautious approach and drawing about 22 mgd. We are drawing less so that we would be able to meet problems in summer.”
“The water inflows may not be spectacular as compared to last year, but the very fact that even two months ago the situation was alarming, makes the new status of water levels all the more interesting,” says a senior official at Water Board.
Last year, the level in Osmansagar was 1771.700 as against 1772.300 as on Thursday. In Himayatsagar it was 1746.960 and the recording on Wednesday this year read 1744.400. Though there is no major jump in the figures this year as compared to of last year, board officials are a relieved lot as rains had eluded catchment areas for long, though things are brightening up now.
The inflows in Manjira and Singur have been copious. In Manjira, the capacity in tmc last year on this day was 0.704; today it is 1.424 and at Singur it is 24.822, a huge jump from 12.322 last year.
All of this has enthused officials as considering fresh inflows in other key reservoirs such as Akkampally, Nagarjunasagar and Srisailam, it means the situation even in the municipalities surrounding the twin cities is going to be quiet cool in summer as well. (details of other reservoirs in centre spread)
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