Irrigation at risk as water levels in Singur reservoir dip

Hyderabad: Water in the Singur Reservoir in Sangareddy will reportedly last only till December 10, and the irrigation of 30 lakh acres is at risk.

The Telangana government has estimated that available storage in key reservoirs may be insufficient to meet both drinking and irrigation needs, forcing it to prioritise drinking water while sharply curtailing irrigation releases.

The state government is faced with the major concern of El Niño, with estimates suggesting that water in the Singur reservoir may last until December 10 if current conditions persist.

Faced with depleting reserves, Telangana has concluded that it cannot supply irrigation water to the entire 30.56 lakh acres of ayacut dependent on reservoir releases.

According to a report by The Times of India, the government is planning to release 47 Thousand Million Cubic Feet (TMC) of water to provide irrigation to about seven lakh acres, while prioritising drinking water requirements.

Irrigation support for the remaining ayacut will depend on future inflows and storage availability. The situation is dire at Singur reservoir, a key drinking water source for Hyderabad.

As compared to its full capacity of 29.91 tmc, the reservoir currently holds only 3.21 tmc or 10.73 per cent of capacity.

Across the state, major and medium irrigation projects together hold just 179.63 tmc of usable water against the normal storage of 470.2 tmc, reflecting a shortage of nearly 62 per cent.

Irrigation releases are already 18 per cent lower than last year, while no irrigation water is being supplied in 176 mandals spread across 19 districts.

Since there is a scarcity of water, the government has proposed reserving available water primarily for drinking purposes until July 2027.

Irrigation releases would be deferred in water-stressed areas, while protective irrigation for rain-fed crops would be considered only if surplus water remains available.

Even the proposed 47 tmc release for seven lakh acres would depend on drinking water needs and actual storage levels. The crisis extends beyond reservoirs.

Nearly 40 per cent of Telangana’s 44,034 tanks hold less than 25 per cent of their capacity. Groundwater levels have also fallen sharply, with the average depth to groundwater increasing from 4.41 metres below ground level in September 2025 to 7.52 metres in September 2026, indicating a decline of 3.11 metres in the water table.

For Hyderabad, the government has prepared an alternative supply plan to bridge possible gaps in drinking water availability.

The government aims to draw 40 Million Gallons per Day (MGD) from the Godavari, 15 MGD through adjustments in Krishna supplies or additional pumping, and 5 MGD through enhanced pressure filtration at Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar.

Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News, Technology, Entertainment, Sports, Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS.