Hyderabad: The Metro water board has announced that it’s preparing for emergency pumping after water levels in Nagarjunasagar hit 505.5 feet. Pumps will be operated once the level dips to 504 feet — expected to happen by April 15.
Water officials maintain that there is no cause for alarm, adding that the Akampally barrage has enough water to supply the city for the whole month.
G. Rameshwar Rao, operations and maintenance director, said: “Ten emergency pumps that can withdraw 600 cusecs of water have been kept ready at Puttamgandi . They will be pressed into service once the water level dips to 504 or lower. So far, during this season, this is the first time that emergency pumps are being used. The present water level is hovering around 505.5 feet, while the maximum capacity is 590 feet. However, according to the Supreme Court, the minimum draw-down level should be 510 feet. Since the right and left canals have been opened, the level being maintained is 505 feet. In 2016, post-monsoons, the level increased to 560-570 feet.”
He added that the Akampally barrage’s capacity is 1.5 thousand million cubic feet. However, presently, 1 TMC is available and will serve the city for a month. If the level dips further, temporary pumps will be installed to draw water from lower levels.
