Hyderabad faces water crunch risk as monsoon rainfall falls short

Hyderabad has recorded a 27 per cent rainfall deficit during the 2026-27 water year, raising concerns over groundwater levels and summer water supply. Sluggish reservoir inflows and a surge in tanker bookings are adding to concerns as the monsoon ends.

Hyderabad: Hyderabad appears poised to face a water crunch in coming days as the 2026 monsoon starts to wind up, leaving the city with a significant rainfall deficit for the 2026-27 water year.

The rainfall deficit could significantly affect water resources, raising early alarms that residents may struggle more during the coming summer.

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Hyderabad recorded 458.2 mm of rainfall against the normal 627.2 mm during 2026-27 water year up to September 2026, a 27% deficit, according to Hyderabad Ground Water Department. The shortfall could also trigger an early groundwater crisis as the monsoon ends and the dry season approaches.

A rainfall analysis report showed that 13 of 16 mandals of Hyderabad district recorded deficits ranging from 20% to 59%. The Charminar mandal recorded a 39% deficit, followed by Saidabad at 38%; Nampally and Tirumalgiri with 35% each; Bandlaguda with 33%; Amberpet, 31%; Maredpally, 30%; Khairatabad, 27%.

Three mandals recorded normal rainfall, ranging between 19% above and 19% below normal, according to the GWD report. Golconda mandal had a 17% deficit, Secunderabad a 14% deficit, and Musheerabad recorded a 17% deficit.

A city-based environmentalist said that the immediate fallout will be felt in daily domestic water supply. Major storage reservoirs feeding the twin cities are reporting sluggish inflows, forcing the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) to redraw its distribution systems to ensure uninterrupted water supply.

A senior HMWSSB official said deficient rainfall had caused a surge in water tanker bookings in Hyderabad since February this year, a trend unprecedented since the board was formed.