Hyderabad: Hyderabad's thirst is growing by the day. The city recorded a staggering 3.36 lakh water tanker bookings in May, the highest ever for the month, as borewells dried up, groundwater levels plunged, and residents in the IT corridor struggled to secure water supplies.
With soaring temperatures and delayed pre-monsoon relief, thousands of households across the city have become increasingly dependent on water tankers to meet their daily needs.
Demand outpaces supply
The water shortage has intensified over the past few weeks, with daily tanker bookings crossing 15,000.
However, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) has been able to deliver only around 12,000 tankers a day, creating a widening gap between demand and supply.
Typically, occasional showers in May help ease pressure on water resources. This year, however, prolonged heat and rising consumption have driven tanker demand to unprecedented levels, making water scarcity one of the city's most pressing concerns.
IT Corridor emerges as Ground Zero
According to HMWSSB officials, the worst-hit areas are concentrated in Hyderabad's rapidly urbanising western corridor.
Localities such as Gachibowli, Kondapur, Madhapur, and Manikonda have witnessed a sharp decline in groundwater availability due to extensive construction activity, high-rise residential projects,s and growing commercial establishments.
Officials estimate that nearly 20 per cent of the city's total tanker demand now originates from the western zone alone. Residents of several apartment complexes and gated communities are reportedly waiting days for water deliveries as existing supplies struggle to meet demand.
Old city relatively better off
In contrast, several parts of the Old City continue to enjoy relatively better groundwater availability. Areas such as Bahadurpura, Golconda, and Asif Nagar benefit from their proximity to water bodies, including the Musi River and Mir Alam Tank.
With lower levels of urban concretisation and groundwater available at shallower depths, these localities account for only a small fraction of the city's tanker bookings despite the ongoing summer stress.
Groundwater levels reach historic low
The city's groundwater reserves have fallen to alarming levels, particularly in northern, eastern, and western suburban regions.
According to recent groundwater department data, some areas have recorded water table declines of up to 15 feet compared to last year.
The situation is especially difficult in expanding suburban belts where the growing population and increasing number of apartments, hostels, and hotels have significantly raised water consumption.
Experts warn that continued over-extraction of groundwater without adequate recharge could worsen the crisis in the coming years.
Water board steps up measures
Facing mounting public pressure, the state government and the Water Board have intensified efforts to improve tanker availability. Authorities have introduced a three-shift operational system aimed at ensuring tanker delivery within 24 hours of booking.
To support the expanded operations, the number of filling stations has been increased from 86 to 96, while filling points have risen from 141 to 167. The tanker fleet has also been expanded from 1,135 vehicles to 1,250.
Additional staff and extra tanker trips have been deployed to reduce waiting times and improve service efficiency across the city.
Focus on uninterrupted drinking water supply
Officials said drinking water supply through the Krishna and Godavari projects remains stable and is being closely monitored through grid management systems. The Water Board has assured residents that all efforts are being made to prevent disruptions even as demand peaks.