The New Indian Express 17.09.2010
Musi in spate as Gandipet gates are opened
HYDERABAD: After nearly a decade, two crest gates of the Osman Sagar, popularly known as Gandipet were opened on Thursday evening. In the eventuality of more inflows from nearby catchment areas, there is a possibility that more gates maybe opened on Friday.
Osman Sagar altogether has 15 crest gates.
Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) lifted two gates upto 2 feet level, releasing 480 cusecs of water, downstream of the Musi. The last time the gates were opened way back in August 2000, when the city received flash floods.
HMWS&SB officials told Expresso that the Osman Sagar was filled to its full reservoir level of 1790 feet. As against storage capacity of 3.900 TMC, the present level was about 3.800 TMC. The level is expected to rise further during the next 24 to 48 hours.
SP Sharma, director (Technical), HMWS&SB said the Water Board has alerted the state government and the district administration to evacuate hut-dwellers living on the banks of the Musi. Officials urged tehsildars to alert hut-dwellers and people living in low-lying areas to move to safer places.
Due to heavy rains in the catchment areas of Osman Sagar, there have been huge inflows during the last 48 hours, according to Water Board officials. The officials added that they were keeping a close watch and assured to take necessary action if any emergency situation arose.
As a precaution, the chief general managers of Circle I and III have been asked to make necessary arrangements for protecting the water pipeline and the main sewers along the Musi.
