HYDERABAD: As water levels plummet at Nagarjuna Sagar, urgent measures are underway to set up emergency pumps at Puttamgandi in Nalgonda district, to pump 270 million gallons of water to serve over 60% of Greater Hyderabad’s population.
As part of the Krishna drinking water supply project (KDWSP), the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) is investing 5 crore to instal 600 HP capacity motors and submersible pumps to pump water from Puttamgandi to Akkampally in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri and from there to city.
Water levels dropping
According to officials, the current water level in Nagarjuna Sagar is 516 feet and is expected to drop to 510 feet by the third week of March. However, pumping must commence before it falls below 510 feet to safeguard aquatic life.
“We need to initiate pumping before the water level hits 510 feet. The concerned authorities have been instructed to complete pump installation by the second week of March,” said a senior water board official told STOI. Earlier in 2019 as well, water was pumped to the city using pumping machines at Puttamgandi. However, officials are now concerned about potential power shutdowns impacting water supply.
“The Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited has already begun power shutdowns in Feb, and unexpected issues like leakages may disrupt water pumping to Greater Hyderabad. Low pressure in supplies is another challenge during summer,” the water board official said.
25 service reservoirs soon
Additionally, some areas around the Outer Ring Road (ORR) are still awaiting improved water supply, with only 31 out of 71 service reservoirs commissioned to date. The official added, “The water board is aiming to commission another 25 service reservoirs before the Lok Sabha elections to provide significant relief to residents.”
Meanwhile, there has been a surge in demand for water tankers across the city over the past three weeks, with bookings increasing from 500 to 1,200 per day. “Starting next week, the water board plans to open additional filling stations to meet the demand. Moreover, water tanker trips will be increased when Ramzan begins in March,” a senior official said.
As part of the Krishna drinking water supply project (KDWSP), the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) is investing 5 crore to instal 600 HP capacity motors and submersible pumps to pump water from Puttamgandi to Akkampally in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri and from there to city.
Water levels dropping
According to officials, the current water level in Nagarjuna Sagar is 516 feet and is expected to drop to 510 feet by the third week of March. However, pumping must commence before it falls below 510 feet to safeguard aquatic life.
“We need to initiate pumping before the water level hits 510 feet. The concerned authorities have been instructed to complete pump installation by the second week of March,” said a senior water board official told STOI. Earlier in 2019 as well, water was pumped to the city using pumping machines at Puttamgandi. However, officials are now concerned about potential power shutdowns impacting water supply.
“The Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited has already begun power shutdowns in Feb, and unexpected issues like leakages may disrupt water pumping to Greater Hyderabad. Low pressure in supplies is another challenge during summer,” the water board official said.
25 service reservoirs soon
Additionally, some areas around the Outer Ring Road (ORR) are still awaiting improved water supply, with only 31 out of 71 service reservoirs commissioned to date. The official added, “The water board is aiming to commission another 25 service reservoirs before the Lok Sabha elections to provide significant relief to residents.”
Meanwhile, there has been a surge in demand for water tankers across the city over the past three weeks, with bookings increasing from 500 to 1,200 per day. “Starting next week, the water board plans to open additional filling stations to meet the demand. Moreover, water tanker trips will be increased when Ramzan begins in March,” a senior official said.