The New Indian Express 31.08.2010
After a decade, reservoirs brimming to capacity
HYDERABAD: Heavy rains have brought much needed relief as reservoir levels are brimming to capacity. The catchment areas of Singur, Manjira, Krishna, Osman Sagar, and Himayath Sagar have received considerable rainfall in the past month leading them to reach full storage levels. It is a just cause for cheer among Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) officials and denizens.The five reservoirs together supply drinking water supplies to over 80 lakh citizens of Greater Hyderabad and nearby villages. The reservoirs are getting close to their full levels after nearly one decade. The combined storage capacity of these five reservoirs is about 39.8 TMC. Presently, the level is about 33.5 TMC. At a same stage last year, the total storage capacity was 13.5 TMC.
During the last one month, the Singur reservoir alone has received more than 20 TMC of water. If the present levels exist, the city hopes to do away with drinking water woes for at least next two to three years. Three months ago, the situation was grim with dwindling water levels. As a precautionary measure, Water Board officials had installed 17 emergency pumps in Singur and four in Osman Sagar to pump water.
Water Board told Expresso that rains in border areas of Karnataka and Maharashtra have added over 15 TMC water to Singur, taking the total availability to 27.1 TMC. The total storage capacity of Singur is 30 TMC. Out of the total 320 MGD, the city receives 120 to 140 MGD of water from Singur and Manjira alone. There is also increase in water levels in Osman Sagar and Himayath Sagar as both received good amount of inflows in the last two weeks.
