Poor Monsoon in 2014 Causing Drinking Water Crisis in Telangana

It is only February and there are already apprehensions about water shortage in the approaching summer season. After a relatively cool season, there are concerns about the impending water crisis given that water shortage is upsetting the residents in many areas as of now. People have started ordering for tankers from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB). And the reason seems to be the poor rains in Telangana during monsoons.

In 2014, due to deficient monsoon, the water levels of reservoirs and the groundwater in Hyderabad has gone down, affecting water supply in the city. Telangana sub-division observed a deficit rainfall of less than 21% during 2014 southwest monsoon followed by another deficit of 52% during northeast monsoon, leading to overall deficit of 37% at the year end. As per data released by Telangana Groundwater Department (TGWD), the deficit monsoon has plummeted Hyderabad groundwater levels by 2.52 metres as compared to the water levels of 2014.

As monsoon played truant in 2014 over Telangana and meagre rainfall was recorded in  the city of Hyderabad and surrounding districts, there have been poor inflows into five major reservoirs -- Akkampally, Singur, Manjira, Osmansagar and Himayatsagar which supply drinking waters to over 90 lakh population of Greater Hyderabad, Secunderabad Cantonment and the nearby districts.

As on December 31, 2014, the Water Board  had stated that Osmansagar has a reserve that can cater to the needs for about 100 days. But since the board cannot exhaust all its stock, they have reduced the supply, which is causing delays in delivery through tankers, particularly in Dilsukhnagar, Kukatpally and Cyberabad, where it could take as much as 48 hours.

Usually bore wells dry up in May but this time around the groundwater had dried up in November itself. For the past two months, it has become normal that water tankers arrive after a delay of 24-48 hours. In spite of the assurance of a tanker on telephone, a tanker is only guaranteed after repeated calls.

The delivery of water tankers is a big ordeal for people as it is usually delayed. For two tankers delivering 5,000 liters of water each, the residents are supposed to pay only Rs.400 for each tanker. But the drivers charge Rs.50-100 extra for delivery.

However, some residents have decided to switch to private water tankers to ensure timely supply. Private suppliers charge much more than the Water Board’s but the residents do not mind, firstly they are ensured of water supply, secondly it is on time. They know that if service is not proper, people will switch to other private suppliers.