HYDERABAD: The state government has advised every household to reduce drinking water consumption by 20 per cent, maintain air-conditioners at 25°C and minimise electricity consumption between 5 pm and 10 pm as part of precautionary measures to tackle the impact of El Nino.
The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) will be deployed to identify violations, including illegal extraction of water and misuse of resources, and initiate action. Special officers will monitor the situation in all 16 mandals of Hyderabad district.
Jayesh Ranjan, special chief secretary for metropolitan area and urban development (HMDA limits), directed officials to take measures for drinking water conservation, groundwater protection and electricity management at a review meeting on Friday.
Officials stressed the need for advance planning to prevent water and power shortages in the coming months, particularly as Hyderabad’s requirements are higher than those of other parts of the state.
As part of enforcement measures, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) will identify and remove motors illegally installed on drinking water pipelines. Fines and penalties will be imposed wherever necessary, with HYDRAA assisting in enforcement.
HMWS&SB managing director K. Ashok Reddy said demand for water tankers had doubled amid reduced rainfall and declining groundwater levels. Tanker bookings have increased to 7,000 this year from around 3,500 during the corresponding period last year.
The water board is preparing to augment supplies through alternative sources. Apart from making additional water available under the Godavari drinking water scheme, it is examining the possibility of drawing more water from the Krishna and establishing additional filter beds at Himayatsagar and Osmansagar.
Of the board’s 13 treated water filling stations, only three to four are operational. The remaining stations will be made operational by November 1. Another 20 filling stations will be established over the next 15 days to increase the availability of treated water.
The government has decided to promote treated sewage water for industrial use, data centres, gardening, landscaping and maintenance of central medians. Filling stations will be established at sewage treatment plants (STPs) to facilitate its supply.
Measures will also be taken to ensure that 90 per cent of water required for construction activities is sourced from treated water available in nearby areas. The use of treated water for landscaping will be made mandatory in all areas, including government institutions.
GHMC commissioner R.V. Karnan said drinking water would not be used for gardening, landscaping or maintenance of central medians.
Groundwater department deputy director M. Harish Babu said only three mandals in Hyderabad district had received normal rainfall so far. The average groundwater level had fallen to 10 metres below ground level, compared with 3.55 metres last year.
Hyderabad district collector Priyanka urged officials not to grant permission for new borewells to prevent further misuse of groundwater.
On electricity conservation, southern discom chairman and managing director Jitesh V. Patil said the state’s power consumption had reached 20,018 MW on Friday and was expected to increase in March and April.
He said rooftop solar installations were being encouraged and advised consumers to plan electricity use according to the availability of solar power during the day.
India Meteorological Department scientist A. Sravani said day and night temperatures were increasing and the onset of winter had been delayed.
“The rainfall during the withdrawal phase of the northeast monsoon is likely to be below normal,” she said, adding that cyclone-related weather systems could bring some rainfall in November.
“The next review meeting would be held after 15 days to assess the situation and review progress in implementing the measures,” she said.
Meanwhile, the water board plans to introduce a mobile application, ‘Dial a Green Tanker’, to enable online booking of treated water tankers.
According to HMWS&SB, 22,000 groundwater recharge structures have been taken up this year. The board is also preparing a plan to provide groundwater recharge facilities to every household over the next five years.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
