Hyderabad on alert: HMWSSB signals possible opening of Himayatsagar floodgates

The HMWSSB has warned of a possible opening of floodgates at the Himayatsagar reservoir due to rising inflows from continuous rainfall in the catchment areas. Authorities, including revenue and police departments, have been advised to implement flood standard operating procedures (SoPs) and prepare for potential downstream impact.

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) has alerted the revenue, police, and other government agencies regarding the potential opening of floodgates as inflows increased into the twin reservoirs, Osmansagar and Himayatsagar.

According to an official statement from the HMWSSB general manager of Transmission, there is a high chance of opening the floodgates of Himayatsagar reservoir depending on further rainfall in the catchment areas.

---

“Thus, all government agencies must prepare for the flood ‘standard operating procedure’ (SoP) and other alerts for the downstream population,” he said.

The heavy rains during the last week in Hyderabad have caused continuous inflow of rain water to the twin reservoirs of Osmansagar and Himayatsagar, which caters to the drinking water needs of the city.

The catchment areas receiving good rainfall in the last one week has resulted in fresh inflows into the twin reservoirs and water levels rising.

According to the city water board, which has been monitoring the water bodies, Osmansagar at around 8 am on Wednesday recorded water levels of 1,782 feet while it’s full tank level (FTL) is 1,790 feet. The fresh inflows have been estimated to be around 50 cusecs.

Meanwhile, water levels in Himayatsagar have been rising towards the brim 1,762.35 feet this morning as against a FTL of 1,763.50 feet. The inflows of 1,600 cusecs has resulted in the levels being just a foot down the FTL.