Summer Demand: HMWSSB increases water drawal from twin reservoirs

With rising summer temperatures and increasing water demand, HMWSSB has stepped up water drawal from Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar. Officials cite groundwater depletion, while assuring that supply from Godavari, Krishna and Manjeera sources remains stable.

Hyderabad: As temperatures rise during the summer and water consumption increases, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB), in response to the seasonal requirement, has raised the drawing of water from the twin reservoirs of Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar.

The water board started drawing water from Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar from the beginning of the year itself. In January, the water board drew 23 MGD of water from Osman Sagar (against 27 MGD normal drawals) and another 13 MGD of water from Himayat Sagar (against 18 MGD normal drawals) to meet the demand.

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In April, the water board officials increased the drawal of water to 25 MGD from Osman Sagar, while 12 MGD of water was taken from Himayat Sagar. Over 60 percent of the areas in the Old City and 40 percent of the areas in the city, such as Red Hills and Banjara Hills, are catered to.

The water board officials admitted that groundwater depletion in the city has necessitated drawing more quantities of water from the twin reservoirs. Earlier, the water board used to manage water supply by compensating with Godavari, Krishna and Manjeera water every April, but this year it was advanced to avoid inconvenience to over 3 lakh consumers.

Regarding the status of other drinking water sources, including Godavari, Krishna and Manjeera, an official said the water levels were satisfactory and water was being supplied without interruption.

Twin reservoirs-water levels:

April 2026:

Osman Sagar: FTL: 1790 ft: water level: 1787 ft

Himayat Sagar: FTL: 1763 ft: water level: 1762 ft

April 2025:

Osman Sagar: FTL: 1790 ft: water level: 1786 ft

Himayat Sagar: FTL: 1763 ft: water level: 1759 ft