El Nino concerns: Hyderabad tanker bookings double; households told to cut water use by 20%

With daily water tanker bookings in Hyderabad rising from the usual 3,500 in October to around 7,000 this year and groundwater levels declining sharply, the Telangana government has urged households to reduce water consumption by at least 20% and conserve electricity amid concerns over El Nino and adverse weather conditions.

Officials are also preparing to expand the use of treated wastewater for construction, landscaping, industrial activities and other non-drinking purposes, while exploring alternative sources to sustain the city’s drinking water supply in the coming months.

At a review meeting held at the Hyderabad Collectorate on Friday (October 16, 2026), Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan directed officials to take precautionary measures to conserve water, protect groundwater resources and reduce electricity consumption. Special officers will monitor the situation across all 16 mandals of Hyderabad district, the District Collector Priyanka Ala said.

The Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC) too appealed to residents, builders, commercial establishments and public agencies to conserve water and increase the reuse of treated wastewater wherever feasible.

Groundwater levels decline from 3.55 m bgl to 10 m bgl

Groundwater levels had declined by more than five metres compared with the previous year, he said. “The average groundwater level had fallen from 3.55 metres below ground level (bgl) last year to 10 metres bgl this year,” said Harish, Deputy Director of the Ground Water Department. He further added that of the 16 mandals in Hyderabad district, only three received normal rainfall so far, while the remaining 13 were experiencing a rainfall deficit. Groundwater levels and rainfall are being monitored through 33 piezometers across the district.

Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) Managing Director Ashok Reddy said there had been no inflows into the Manjeera and Singur reservoirs this year, and the water currently available would be sufficient only until December. The authorities are examining alternative arrangements, including additional supplies through the Godavari Drinking Water Scheme, the possibility of drawing more Krishna water and the establishment of additional filter beds at Himayat Sagar and Osman Sagar.

Treated wastewater to replace fresh water

He further added that the HMWSSB would take measures to ensure that 90% of the water required for construction activities was sourced from treated water available in nearby areas. The board is also planning to make treated water mandatory for landscaping, including at government institutions. Of the 13 treated-water filling stations identified under the HMWSSB jurisdiction, three to four were operational. The target is to make all 13 functional by November 1, with another 20 filling stations to be established over the next 15 days, he said.

A mobile application, ‘Dial a Green Tanker’, will also be introduced to enable people to book treated water through tankers online. Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC) Commissioner G. Srijana has called on sewage treatment plant operators and authorities concerned to ensure the proper operation and maintenance of the treatment facilities and facilitate reuse of treated water for landscaping, park maintenance and other suitable non-potable purposes, subject to applicable quality standards.

Households asked to cut water use by 20%

Mr. Ranjan said the government plans to conduct extensive awareness programmes to encourage every household to reduce its water consumption by at least 20%. Residents were asked to use water judiciously, repair leaks promptly and avoid unnecessary wastage. Apartment complexes, commercial establishments and institutions were encouraged to adopt water-efficient landscaping, use native vegetation, install efficient irrigation systems and maintain rainwater-harvesting structures.

Ms. Ala directed Ground Water Department officials not to issue permissions for new borewells as part of efforts to prevent the misuse of groundwater.

ACs at 25°C, lower power usage

TGSPDCL Managing Director Jitesh Patil said electricity demand in the State had reached a record peak of 20,018 MW and could increase further in March and April. He urged government offices to lead by example by maintaining air conditioners at 25°C and asked households and institutions to reduce electricity consumption between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Rainfall outlook remains a concern

India Meteorological Department scientist Sravani said night-time as well as daytime temperatures were rising and the onset of winter is delayed. Rainfall during the withdrawal phase of the northeast monsoon was likely to be below normal, she said, while expressing hope that cyclone-related weather systems could bring rainfall in November.