Hyderabad witnessed a rare hydrological event this weekend as all 15 floodgates of Osman Sagar were opened for the first time in nearly 60 years, following relentless rainfall in the catchment areas. The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) initially attempted to manage the rising water levels by gradually opening a few gates, but heavy inflows from continuous downpours forced officials to lift all gates by early Saturday morning. This marks an unprecedented move, as within just two months, the Water Board has been compelled to issue five flood warnings for the twin reservoirs — a frequency never recorded in previous years. The developments have sparked alarm among residents living in low-lying areas downstream, where inundation risks remain high.
By Friday morning, Osman Sagar registered an inflow of nearly 3,000 cusecs, which quickly escalated to 8,500 cusecs by nightfall. Officials initially opened 12 gates but were compelled to lift all 15 gates by 5 am on Saturday as the inflows peaked at 12,600 cusecs. Simultaneously, Himayat Sagar also recorded heavy inflows, forcing authorities to lift nine out of its 17 floodgates. According to HMWSSB data, by 6 pm, Osman Sagar stood at 1788.55 feet against its full tank level of 1790 feet, while Himayat Sagar recorded 1762.55 feet against an FTL of 1763.50 feet. Outflow levels matched or exceeded inflows, with Osman Sagar releasing 9,284 cusecs and Himayat Sagar discharging 6,420 cusecs, further swelling the Musi River downstream.
The opening of the reservoirs has not only revived memories of historical floods but also raised pressing concerns about urban flood management in Hyderabad. Inundation has already been reported in multiple stretches along the Musi River, disrupting traffic and affecting residents in vulnerable colonies. With climate change increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, civic experts argue that Hyderabad’s flood preparedness requires urgent upgrading, including better drainage infrastructure, improved forecasting systems, and more effective rehabilitation planning. For now, the HMWSSB continues to monitor inflows closely, while disaster management teams remain on standby to handle potential emergencies as the swollen reservoirs continue to release massive volumes of water into the city’s waterways.
