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Hyderabad Declares Water Emergency as Reservoirs Hit Low Levels

By Drooid · Oct 25, 2026, 4:12 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Revanth Reddy Declares Emergency

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy declared a water emergency in Hyderabad as reservoirs fell.
Osman Sagar fell to 2.2 TMC of 3.5 TMC capacity, while Himayat Sagar dropped to 2.1 TMC of 2.5 TMC.
HMWSSB MD Ashok Reddy ordered additional tanker operators as bookings rose to 6,000-8,000 daily.
HMWSSB will start green water tanker services on 1 November for landscaping and construction.
Telangana government set Rs 1,000 fines for first-time drinking-water misuse and higher penalties for RWAs.

Summary

Telangana Seeks Relief

BRS spokesperson Ravula Sridhar accused Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of prioritising Congress politics over El Nino solutions.
Opposition parties claimed the Congress government caused the drought conditions in Telangana.
Telangana requested a special INR20,000-crore package from the Centre to address anticipated rainfall deficiency.
The state's electricity demand of 20,000 MW exceeds the 13,000 MW recorded in undivided Andhra Pradesh.
A four-month post-Sankranti scheme was announced to provide daily work for rural labourers.

History

Historical Context

In 2002 Hyderabad endured a severe water crisis when Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar fell to roughly 30 % of capacity, prompting emergency measures. The Telangana State Water Supply and Sewerage Board deployed 5,000 tanker trips daily, costing the government INR450 million that summer. Today, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s declaration of a water emergency mirrors that 2002 response, with reservoirs now at 2.2 TMC and 2.1 TMC and fines imposed for misuse. The recurrence underscores the need for long-term water-management reforms and a central INR20,000-crore relief package to avert future shortages.

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Revanth Reddy Declares Emergency

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy declared a water emergency in Hyderabad as reservoirs fell.
Osman Sagar fell to 2.2 TMC of 3.5 TMC capacity, while Himayat Sagar dropped to 2.1 TMC of 2.5 TMC.
HMWSSB MD Ashok Reddy ordered additional tanker operators as bookings rose to 6,000-8,000 daily.
HMWSSB will start green water tanker services on 1 November for landscaping and construction.
Telangana government set Rs 1,000 fines for first-time drinking-water misuse and higher penalties for RWAs.

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