Hyderabad water shortage risk grows as reservoir levels dip

Weak monsoons have pushed down water levels in several Hyderabad reservoirs, raising concerns over supplies in the coming months. The Water Board says current stocks can sustain supplies until summer 2027 but is monitoring groundwater depletion and preparing contingency plans.

Hyderabad: People in Hyderabad’s Core Urban Region Economy (CURE), comprising GHMC, CMC and MMC, could face drinking water shortages in the coming months, as weak monsoons have resulted in water levels dipping significantly in the city’s primary drinking water reservoirs.

Official data show significant variation in water levels this September compared with the same month last year, with inflows raising concern among senior officials from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB).

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Compared to last year, water levels in Osman Sagar and Singur reservoirs dipped considerably, while those at Himayath Sagar, Manjeera, and the Krishna and Godavari tapping points dipped slightly.

Water Board officials said current water levels could be managed to maintain supplies until the summer of 2027, but expressed concern over groundwater depletion. Demand for tanker supplies has remained high since February and continues this month.

Keeping in view the water level situation, Water Board authorities are closely monitoring and evaluating emergency contingency plans to avoid inconvenience to over 14.57 lakh consumers. Currently, the Water Board is supplying 585 million gallons of water per day to meet the demand.

Water level data: (Comparison between September, 2025 and September 2026)

Osman Sagar (FTL: 1790 ft): 1783.60 ft in September 2026 and 1788 ft last year

Himayath Sagar (FTL: 1763 ft): 1761 ft in September 2026 and 1762 ft last year

Singur (FTL: 1717 ft): 1691 ft in September 2026 and 1709 ft last year

Manjira (FTL: 1651 ft): 1643 ft in September 2026 and 1647 ft last year

Krishna/Akkampally (FTL: 245 meters): 244 meters in September 2026, matching the previous year’s level

Godavari/Yellampally (FTL: 485 meters): 484 meters in September 2026, showing an increase compared to 481 meters the previous year