Hyderabad water crisis worsens as borewells dry up, supply-demand gap widens

Hyderabad: Hyderabad’s water crisis has intensified as declining groundwater levels and deficient rainfall affect household borewells across the city. A widening gap between daily water demand and supply has raised concerns over the city’s ability to meet its growing requirements.

Hyderabad requires about 735 million gallons of water per day (MGD), while the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) reportedly supplies around 584 MGD from various sources. This leaves a substantial gap between demand and available supply.

Water levels in Himayatsagar and Osmansagar, the city’s twin reservoirs, have also declined. Storage levels in other major water sources are reportedly approaching critical levels, adding to concerns over supplies in the coming months.

October temperatures have remained unusually high, while rainfall has been limited. The combination of poor rainfall, falling groundwater levels and rising demand has affected several residential areas, where household borewells are reportedly drying up.

Hyderabad water crisis worsens as borewell depths increase

Earlier, residents in several parts of the city could access groundwater by drilling borewells to depths of around 300 feet. However, borewells in some areas now reportedly have to be drilled to depths of 800 to 1,000 feet to reach groundwater.

The problem is said to be particularly severe in western parts of Hyderabad, where rapid urbanisation and high water consumption have placed additional pressure on groundwater resources. As groundwater availability declines, dependence on municipal supplies and private water sources is also increasing.

Concerns have also been raised over the absence of sufficient alternative sources to bridge the demand-supply gap. Critics said the authorities should accelerate contingency measures and strengthen alternative arrangements before the shortage worsens.

Experts warned that continued depletion of groundwater, inadequate rainfall and rising consumption could put Hyderabad under greater water stress in the coming months. They called for measures to conserve available supplies, recharge groundwater and strengthen the city’s long-term water security.