Hyderabad looks to twin reservoirs to shore up summer supply

Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board is exploring the possibility of drawing additional water from Osmansagar and Himayatsagar to meet the city’s requirements. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

With the El Nino effect raising concerns over drinking water availability during the coming summer, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) is exploring the possibility of drawing additional water from Osmansagar and Himayatsagar to meet the city’s requirements. 

The move comes amid declining water levels in the Singur and Manjeera reservoirs, which are among the key sources supplying drinking water to Hyderabad. The water board is assessing alternative sources and supply routes to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply, particularly during February and March when demand is expected to rise.

HMWS&SB managing director K. Ashok Reddy, along with a team of senior officials, visited Gandipet and surrounding areas on Wednesday to assess the feasibility of augmenting the city’s water supply through the twin reservoirs.

During the inspection, officials examined possible routes for transporting additional water, pipeline connectivity with the existing distribution network and the infrastructure required to facilitate the proposed supply. They also discussed the scope for developing alternative pipeline routes and expanding the existing network.

Mr. Reddy directed officials to explore all available water resources and assess the technical feasibility of drawing additional supplies from Osmansagar and Himayatsagar. He also stressed the need to identify alternative arrangements that could reduce the city’s dependence on the Singur-Manjeera reservoirs during the summer.

The board said a comprehensive assessment of water availability, technical feasibility and the capacity of the existing supply infrastructure would determine the next course of action.

Published - November 11, 2026 08:23 pm IST