Hyderabad is witnessing a spectacular resurgence of its lakes and reservoirs, thanks to the vigorous monsoon that has graced the city with consistent rainfall this season. From Hussain Sagar to Durgam Cheruvu and the twin reservoirs of Himayat Sagar and Osman Sagar, water levels are rising rapidly, transforming the urban landscape into a lush and rejuvenated environment.
While monsoon spells often bring with them concerns of flooding and traffic snarls, the silver lining lies in the replenishment of city water bodies, improved groundwater recharge, and a much-needed relief to a city battling rapid urbanization and water stress.
Let’s explore how the monsoon is impacting Hyderabad’s lakes, the historical importance of these water bodies, the environmental benefits of their revival, and the civic challenges the city must navigate in managing this seasonal abundance.
🌧️ Monsoon 2025: A Strong Start for Hyderabad
As of late July 2025, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has recorded above-normal rainfall in Telangana, with Hyderabad receiving nearly 30% more precipitation than the average for the month.
Key weather highlights:
- The city witnessed consistent rainfall events, particularly in South, West, and Central zones.
- Some areas reported daily rainfall exceeding 100 mm during intense spells.
- Water logging and minor urban floods were reported in low-lying localities, but major damage was averted due to early preparedness by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).
The immediate and most visible outcome? Overflowing lakes and rising reservoir levels.
🏞️ Hyderabad’s Lakes: A Historical and Ecological Legacy
Hyderabad has always been known as the “City of Lakes.” Once boasting over 700 water bodies, the city was carefully designed by its founders to store rainwater, recharge aquifers, and support agriculture and drinking water needs.
Some of the iconic lakes include:
- Hussain Sagar: Built in 1562, it connects Hyderabad and Secunderabad and is now a symbolic centerpiece of the city.
- Osman Sagar & Himayat Sagar: Constructed in the 20th century to prevent floods and supply drinking water.
- Durgam Cheruvu: A scenic lake near Hitech City, now developed as a tourist attraction.
- Ameenpur Lake: A biodiversity hotspot, recognized as India’s first Biodiversity Heritage Site for a manmade lake.
These lakes, though under threat from encroachments and pollution, continue to play a vital role in maintaining the city’s water balance.
🌊 Lakes Overflowing: Current Status as of July 2025
With several monsoon spells soaking Hyderabad in recent weeks, here’s the condition of some of the major lakes:
1. Hussain Sagar
- Water levels are near full tank level (FTL).
- Authorities have opened gates of the surplus weir to regulate inflow from Kukatpally and Balkampet nalas.
- Water quality concerns remain due to untreated sewage inflow, though dilution from rain has provided temporary relief.
2. Osman Sagar & Himayat Sagar
- Both reservoirs have received substantial inflows from upstream areas.
- Himayat Sagar touched the full tank level and is discharging water into the Musi River.
- These reservoirs have once again proven crucial in flood mitigation.
3. Durgam Cheruvu
- Water levels have risen significantly, improving aesthetics and boating prospects.
- GHMC has stepped up cleaning efforts to manage water hyacinth and plastic waste.
4. Ameenpur Lake
- Breeding grounds for migratory birds have expanded due to water spread increase.
- Environmentalists are calling for regulated access to preserve wildlife.
💧 Hydrological and Ecological Benefits
The rejuvenation of Hyderabad’s lakes has cascading benefits that go beyond the visual:
✅ Groundwater Recharge
- Natural percolation from full lakes helps replenish aquifers.
- Borewells in nearby areas benefit from increased water tables.
✅ Temperature Moderation
- Large water bodies contribute to urban cooling.
- Moisture retention helps maintain microclimates in concrete-heavy zones.
✅ Ecosystem Restoration
- Aquatic flora and fauna populations are recovering.
- Migratory birds have returned to many lakes, offering a boost to biodiversity.
✅ Recreational Value
- Boating and lakeside tourism sees an uptick.
- Locals flock to lakes for jogging, bird-watching, and picnics.
⚠️ Challenges and Concerns Amid Overflowing Lakes
Despite the bounty, the monsoon also exposes civic and ecological weaknesses:
🏗️ Encroachments
- Many lakes have seen their natural buffer zones and feeders encroached upon by real estate.
- Excess rainwater has flooded illegal constructions in FTL zones.
🧪 Pollution and Water Quality
- Sewage and industrial effluents continue to enter water bodies.
- Overflow may spread contaminated water into nearby neighborhoods, raising health risks.
🌊 Urban Flooding Risks
- Drainage systems remain under strain during intense rain.
- Inadequate desilting and blocked nalas aggravate the problem.
🦺 Safety
- Open lakes and fast-flowing storm drains pose risks to children and pedestrians.
- Several incidents of people slipping or falling into water bodies have been reported.
🛠️ What Authorities Are Doing
The GHMC, Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB), and Irrigation Department have stepped up measures:
- Desilting operations were carried out pre-monsoon in several lakes and drains.
- Real-time monitoring of lake inflows using IoT-based sensors in larger reservoirs.
- Deployment of emergency response teams to clear clogged drains and control flooding.
- Public awareness campaigns warning against dumping waste into lakes and nalas.
The Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB) has also intensified checks on industries for illegal discharges into lakes.
🌍 Community Involvement: The Key to Sustainable Lakes
Several citizen-driven initiatives are also playing a crucial role in lake revival:
- NGOs like Save Our Urban Lakes (SOUL) and Dhruvansh are engaging in clean-up drives and lake adoption programs.
- Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) are fencing and protecting smaller neighborhood lakes.
- School and college eco-clubs are conducting awareness campaigns and tree plantation drives.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are also being explored for eco-tourism development around lakes.
🔮 Future Outlook: What Can Be Done Better?
Hyderabad’s lakes are a blessing that must be preserved. To ensure their long-term health, city planners and policymakers must:
- Enforce strict zoning laws to protect buffer zones.
- Implement STPs (Sewage Treatment Plants) to prevent untreated inflow.
- Promote nature-based solutions, like rain gardens and wetlands, around lake peripheries.
- Digitize and track lake health using GIS mapping and water quality sensors.
- Strengthen community participation in lake stewardship.
📝 Conclusion
The monsoon of 2025 has given Hyderabad a golden opportunity—to not only celebrate its overflowing lakes but also reimagine a future where these water bodies are protected, restored, and integrated into the urban fabric sustainably.
Lakes are more than just water storage; they are ecosystems, climate regulators, cultural symbols, and life-supporting veins of the city. With careful planning, civic responsibility, and environmental consciousness, Hyderabad can revive its identity as a city of lakes—clean, thriving, and resilient.
❓FAQs
Q1: How many lakes are there in Hyderabad currently?
As per estimates, there are about 185 notified lakes in the GHMC limits, although many smaller water bodies are unregistered.
Q2: Can people visit lakes during the monsoon?
Yes, but caution is advised. Avoid venturing close to edges or into restricted areas during heavy inflow.
Q3: Are lakes safe for boating post-monsoon?
In most cases, yes—especially in cleaned and monitored lakes like Durgam Cheruvu and Hussain Sagar.
Q4: What should I do if I see pollution in a lake?
You can report it to GHMC, HMWSSB, or environmental NGOs active in your area.
Q5: Can citizens participate in lake protection?
Absolutely. Many NGOs welcome volunteers, and local communities are encouraged to adopt and maintain lakes nearby.
