HMWSSB Launches PAANI App As Hyderabad Faces Possible 50 MGD Water Deficit
The board is currently supplying 560–570 MGD to the city: Reports
HYDERABAD: The city could face a drinking water deficit of up to 50 million gallons a day (MGD) between January and August next year, with falling storage in the Singur and Manjeera reservoirs and declining groundwater levels posing challenges to supply, Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) managing director K. Ashok Reddy said on Thursday.
The board is currently supplying 560–570 MGD to the city. It expects a shortfall of around 100 MGD from the Singur-Manjeera sources during the period, but is working to mobilise an additional 60 MGD from the Godavari and Krishna rivers and Osmansagar. The remaining deficit could affect around three lakh water connections between Patancheru and Narsingi, he said, adding that an emergency action plan had been submitted to the government.
Against this backdrop, transport and BC welfare minister and Hyderabad district in-charge Ponnam Prabhakar launched the HMWSSB’s PAANI (Water Warriors) mobile app at the board’s Khairatabad headquarters. He urged every household to reduce water consumption by at least 20 per cent, particularly in view of possible El Niño-related rainfall deficits.
While asking for usage by industries such as alcohol and other private drinking water facilities, the minister said they don't want to scare any industries but will give suggestions to all for proper water usage.
The app aims to involve citizens in identifying and reporting drinking water wastage. Interested residents can register as water volunteers on the HMWSSB website and report violations through the app after registration is verified. Officials will inspect complaints and take action, including penalties, where warranted. The minister said the primary objective was to build public awareness and responsibility rather than merely impose fines.
Prabhakar called for rainwater harvesting systems in homes, apartments, gated communities, schools and offices, and greater reuse of treated wastewater for construction, industries, parks and gardening. He stressed that every citizen should become a water volunteer and help prevent wastage.
He also said the government was working on Godavari Phase II and III projects to meet Hyderabad’s future drinking water needs. Water volunteer registration: Residents can register through the HMWSSB website and report water wastage through the PAANI app.