Water crisis deepens across Hyderabad

From sabeels to factories, worsening crisis is taking a toll on both religious, economic activity

HYDERABAD:

As the holy month of Muharram enters its most solemn days, Hyderabad is confronting a crisis that extends beyond inconvenience and into daily survival. With water supplies disrupted across large swathes of the city, residents preparing for majalis, sabeels and religious gatherings are scrambling for scarce resources, while industries warn that the worsening shortage is beginning to choke production and threaten livelihoods.

The water crisis in the city has intensified, with residents in numerous localities reporting prolonged supply disruptions lasting several days. The shortages have begun affecting religious activities, including the distribution of food, drinking water and refreshments traditionally arranged during the mourning period.

Critics have accused the Hyderabad Water and Sewerage Corporation (HWSC) of failing to meet public demand despite the heightened water requirements associated with Muharram. While officials remain active on social media and public-relations platforms, residents complain that little progress has been made in addressing the worsening supply situation on the ground.

According to reports, severe shortages are being experienced in densely populated areas including Phuleli, Pretabad, Liaquat Colony, Afandi Town, Timber Market, Khahi Road, Khata Chowk, Teen Number Talab, Tando Tayyab, Millatabad, Makki Bagh, Jareel Shah Colony, Tando Agha, Heerabad, Sarfraz Colony and Amil Colony. Several units of Latifabad, particularly Units 8, 11 and 12, have also been affected.

Residents say water is either unavailable for days at a time or supplied for only a few minutes, forcing families and organisers of religious gatherings to purchase water from neighbourhood filtration plants. Complaints have also surfaced regarding unattended pipeline leakages and delayed maintenance work in several parts of the city.

Allegations of administrative negligence have further fuelled public frustration. Residents of the Heerabad Jail Road area claim that illegal water connections are being installed while roads are repeatedly cut during nighttime operations. Despite complaints, they say no meaningful action has been taken.

The crisis has now spread beyond residential neighbourhoods into Hyderabad's industrial sector. The chairman of the Hyderabad Site Association of Trade and Industry (HSATI), Zubair Ghanghra, warned that persistent water shortages are disrupting industrial production, weakening the investment climate and affecting the livelihoods of thousands of workers.

He said industrial units are struggling to secure even their basic water requirements and are increasingly relying on expensive private tanker services. Industries including textiles, food processing, packaging, rice, edible oil and chemicals depend on a consistent supply of quality water, making the shortage a direct threat to productivity, product quality and competitiveness.