As summer peaks in Hyderabad, families across the city are grappling with an acute water shortage, pushing them to spend nearly Rs 2,500 per week on private tankers. Despite thousands of water tankers deployed by the authorities, residents in key localities like Madhapur and Kondapur say the supply remains erratic, forcing them to rely heavily on costly alternatives.
The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) has dispatched over 10,000 tankers so far, but demand continues to rise, particularly in the western and central regions. Private suppliers are now sending five to six tankers daily to residential societies in shifts, delivering up to 90 kilolitres of water per day. Still, many borewells have dried up despite digging as deep as 1,200 metres, intensifying residents’ dependence on tankers.
Residents Voice Concerns Online
Frustrated by the crisis, many Hyderabadis have taken to social media to express their concerns. One user on X (formerly Twitter) urged the central government to revamp water management nationwide, pointing to mismanagement as a root cause of urban scarcity. Another user compared the current crisis to conditions in 2014, noting power cuts and rising water shortages.
Public anger has also turned towards political leaders. A netizen criticized a local MLA turned Deputy Chief Minister, accusing him of becoming inactive after taking office. The user called on him to act on the worsening water crisis that’s hitting urban households hard.
Prices Climb as Supply Drops
Residents say prices for tankers have surged, with private operators charging between Rs 3,500 and Rs 4,000 for 25 kilolitres and Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 for 10 kilolitres. In gated communities like those in Kondapur, residents now pool money weekly just to secure essential water supplies.
Ravi Shanker, a local resident, shared that last year they barely needed tankers, but this year the board’s supply has dropped to just three or four hours a day. “Earlier, even 600-metre-deep borewells were sufficient. Now, even after digging 1,200 metres, there’s no water,” he said.
With temperatures rising and relief nowhere in sight, Hyderabadis continue to battle both scorching heat and shrinking access to one of life’s most basic necessities.
