Erratic spells of rain do little for groundwater levels in Telangana
The reason? Widespread concretisation that hindered rainwater infiltration, causing most of the runoff to drain into stormwater systems rather than replenishing underground aquifers.
Between May 1 and 15 this year, over 1.14 lakh water tankers were booked by consumers through the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB), with a daily average exceeding 7,610 bookings — similar to previous years.
Officials confirmed that the rains had minimal impact on groundwater recharge, with most water flowing into drains instead of soaking into the soil. The groundwater in Hyderabad is classified as overexploited.
Authorities have pointed to the lack of rainwater percolation due to urban development and inadequate implementation of Rain Water Harvesting Structures (RWHS). Though about 45–50% of houses and apartments have RWHS pits, many have become defunct due to poor maintenance. As borewells dry up during summer, the dependency on tankers continues.
Officials said that any noteworthy recharge would require 10 to 15 consecutive days of rainfall. This means that occasional spells of rain are insufficient to restore groundwater levels. Recharge wells, or injection wells, are also being considered as a solution for direct percolation into deeper aquifers. HMWSSB has been promoting RWHS and public awareness on their benefits.
The HMWSSB has urged the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation to enforce stricter compliance under the WALTA Act, particularly by verifying RWHS construction before granting Occupancy Certificates for buildings over 200 square metres. HMWSSB has also offered technical assistance for RWHS installation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Rainwater holding structures in Hyderabad fail to prevent water stagnation during heavy rainfall
1 2 3 4 5 6 Hyderabad: Crores of money invested by Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) in constructing rainwater holding structures in various locations in the city to mitigate urban flooding on major thoroughfares have proved to be ineffective in preventing water stagnation during heavy rainfall. In 2024, GHMC proposed to construct 50 rainwater holding structures near major water logging points in the city so that surplus water can be diverted to these tanks and the same can be re-pumped into the drain on any dry day. Currently, there are around 140 water logging points, including 30 critical ones. Among them, the civic body constructed 10 rainwater holding structures with a capacity of 2 to 10 lakh litres each, costing between Rs 50 lakh and 1 crore, including at Mercure Hyderabad KCP, Errum Manzil, Lake View Guest House, Raj Bhavan Road, Secretariat, and Ameerpet. However, despite these efforts, water continues to accumulate when heavy rains occur at these locations. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad For instance, on Raj Bhavan Road, heavy rainfall on Thursday and Saturday caused severe water gushing on the roads, with water filling the rainwater holding structures within a few minutes, leading to water stagnation on the road. These structures have RCC socket, spigot pipes along with all necessary items for diversion of water, injection borewells, fixing of iron grills for collection of stormwater, supply of high-density polyethylene material grade for inlet and outlets, and submersible pumps to pump the water into the nearest drain in a few hours. GHMC attributed the ongoing situation to cloudburst-like rains, which brought 10 cm of rainfall within one hour. "The existing rainwater holding structures are designed to manage up to 5 cm of rainfall. During the heavy downpour, water rapidly filled these structures within minutes. However, these structures enabled GHMC to pump it into nearby drains within 30 minutes, facilitating the smooth flow of traffic," said a senior official in the engineering wing, GHMC. Meanwhile, Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) decided to undertake new pipeline works at flood-prone stretches to alleviate water stagnation on the roads. The existing water outlets are insufficient to allow free flow of water during intense rainfall, leading to accumulation. "We proposed initiating civil works at several water logging areas, including Maitrivanam, Malkam Cheruvu, and Malkpet, on a pilot basis before expanding the project to additional locations. Our engineering wing will coordinate with relevant departments such as GHMC and traffic to execute these works," said AV Ranganath, commissioner, HYDRAA. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- New Indian Express
Himayatsagar gates opened amid rising water levels
HYDERABAD: Following heavy rainfall in the upstream catchment areas of the Himayatsagar reservoir, HMWSSB has lifted four crest gates to manage the rising water levels. One gate was lifted on Thursday night, while three more were opened on Friday. A total of 1,391 cusecs of water is being released downstream into the Musi River. The water board issued a flood alert on Wednesday evening, warning about the potential opening of crest gates at twin reservoirs. The Himayatsagar reservoir has already reached near its Full Tank Level (FTL), while Osmansagar is approaching capacity. Officials have been advised to remain vigilant in the catchment areas, especially in low-lying regions, where rising river levels could pose a risk to residents. As of Friday, the Himayatsagar reservoir has a storage level of 1,763.15 feet (2.837 TMC), compared to its FTL of 1,763.50 feet (2.968 TMC). The inflow stands at 1,300 cusecs, while the outflow is 1,391 cusecs. The Osmansagar reservoir has a full tank level of 1,790 feet (3.900 TMC). The current level is 1,783.30 feet (2.554 TMC), with an inflow of 400 cusecs and no outflow at present.
NDTV
4 days ago
- NDTV
Rain Havoc In Hyderabad: Waterlogging, Traffic Jams, Power Outages
Hyderabad was subjected to yet another spell of sudden and intense rain on Thursday evening, that led to severe waterlogging, traffic jams, and power outages, particularly affecting commuters during the evening rush hour. The heavy downpour caused widespread chaos and brought the city to a standstill. The IT corridor and surrounding areas bore the brunt of Thursday's rain. Gachibowli recorded a staggering 123.5 mm of rainfall, with Khajaguda Sports Complex receiving a similar amount. Other severely affected localities included Srinagar Colony, Khairatabad, Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills, Ameerpet, Manikonda and Shaikpet. Traffic was reported to be moving at a snail's pace on major roads, with many motorists, especially those on two-wheelers, struggling to navigate through waist-deep water. The Hyderabad and Cyberabad traffic police were on high alert, issuing warnings and trying to manage the gridlock. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation's (GHMC) Disaster Response Force (DRF) teams were deployed to clear waterlogged areas, fallen trees, and broken wires. In a precautionary measure, one gate of the Himayath Sagar reservoir was opened to release surplus water into the Musi River, a response to the continuous rainfall in the catchment areas. The weather department has issued a forecast for continued rainfall. Today, Friday, Hyderabad is expected to have cloudy skies with a high probability of light to moderate rain or thunderstorms, particularly during the evening and night. Isolated intense spells are also possible, accompanied by gusty winds of 30-40 kmph. The forecast for Saturday indicates that the city will continue to experience rainy conditions, with a high chance of rain both during the day and at night. Temperatures are expected to be around 27 degrees Celsius, with gusty winds and a high chance of precipitation. Residents and commuters are advised to be cautious, as more water pooling on roads and in low-lying areas is expected. Authorities are urging people to avoid unnecessary travel and stay indoors, especially during predicted intense spells of rain.
