It is a case of rain, rain everywhere but not where it matters. Despite the State capital receiving copious rainfall, the city’s principal reservoirs continue to have negligent inflows. If anything, both Osmansagar and Himayatsagar have gained just 20 days of water each.
On the contrary, the Singur reservoir has received an unexpected 7.7 tmc water so far. The position in Krishna is also encouraging, with inflows coming from Srisailam. Despite all this, the city could not draw more water thanks to network limitations. It implies that Hyderabadis have to continue to suffer a shortfall of 23 mgd.
The worrying levels in city reservoirs have nothing to do with the encroachments in their catchments, Water Board officials maintain. They attribute it to scant rainfall in Vikarabad, Shankarpally, Tandur and Chevella regions.
“Where is the question of encroachments blocking the inflows when there are no rains here?” asks Water Board Managing Director J. Syamala Rao.
The current amount of water in Osmansagar is expected to last till August 15 and in Himaytsagar, till August end. With good inflows into Singur, the Board has removed all 17 emergency pumps and motors installed there.
Last year, Singur got only 2 tmc water, while in just one month it gained 7.7 tmc, which is equivalent to 10 months’ supply after evaporation losses. Authorities expect the reservoir to overflow this time.
Though Osmansagar and Himayatsagar present a dismal scenario, it is heartening to note that ground water in and around the city is sufficiently charged. This has lessened pressure on piped water. Ground water has risen by 1.49 metres in the city from May to June. The increase is reflected in all the 11 mandals. However, compared to June 2012, there is a depletion of 0.29 metres.
The outlook is also bright in the surrounding mandals of Rangareddy. The district has recorded an average rise of 0.49 metres from May to June. Figures show that the ground water level has risen in Qutbullapur (1.15 metres), Saroornagar (0.55 m), Uppal (1.30 m), Balanagar (2.60 m), Rajendranagar (0.90 m), Serilingampally (0.50 m) and Malkajgiri (0.51 m). However, ground water in Hayatnagar and Shameerpet Mandals has depleted in the last one month. This is attributed to the scant rainfall in Osmansagar and Himayatsagar reservoirs.
