Hyderabad, September 20: Heavy rains during the last two months have filled up the Singur, Manjira, Osman Sagar, and Himayath Sagar, which are brimming with full storage capacity levels. These reservoirs are the major source of drinking water supply to over 80 lakh citizens.
The reservoirs are nearly brimming over after nearly a decade. With the present levels, it is hoped that the city will be spared water woes for at least the next two or three years.
The combined storage capacity of these five reservoirs is about 39.816 TMC. Presently, it is about 38.500 TMC. On the same day last year, the storage capacity was 17.225 TMC.
With inflows from catchment areas of the Osman Sagar getting reduced, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) has closed all the crest gates at Gandipet.
On last Thursday, the Water Board had lifted two gates and released around 500 cusecs of water downstream of the Musi. As the inflows continued to be heavy on the next day, it opened another six gates and allowed 8,000 to 10,000 cusecs of water into the Musi. On Sunday, all gates were closed as there was decrease in inflows.
On the other hand, water level in the Himyath Sagar is slowly and steadily rising. As against the Full Reservoir level (FTL) of 1763 feet, the present level is about 1762.500 feet. If there are more inflows, there is a possibility of opening a few gates, HMWS&SB officials told.
–Agencies