Himayat Sagar opens 9 gates, Hyderabad flood alert.
At Himayat Sagar, three gates were opened to a height of four feet each, while six gates were opened to a height of three feet each.
Hyderabad on Flood Alert as Himayat Sagar Opens Nine Gates, Musi River to Swell
Hyderabad woke up to a flood warning on Thursday morning, August 14, as officials announced that the Himayat Sagar reservoir had opened nine of its gates, releasing a large volume of water into the Musi River. The move, though essential to prevent the reservoir from overflowing, has put several low-lying areas on high alert.
According to officials, the discharge from Himayat Sagar reached nearly 10,000 cusecs. Of the nine gates, three were lifted to a height of four feet each, while the remaining six were raised three feet high. The combined release is expected to significantly raise the Musi River’s water levels, prompting the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and Disaster Response teams to remain on standby.
“This release is a preventive measure,” an irrigation department engineer explained. “If we wait until the reservoir is at the brim, the situation could be much worse.
Osman Sagar Holds Steady, But Watching CloselyAs of Thursday morning, it recorded a water level of 1,785.30 feet (holding 2.885 TMC of water) against its full tank level of 1,790 feet. Inflows here are currently at 3,000 cusecs—well within manageable limits—but authorities are not taking any chances.
The coordinated monitoring of both reservoirs is vital because they act as Hyderabad’s first line of defense against flooding in the Musi basin. If heavy rains continue in the catchment areas, further releases could follow in the coming days.
Musi River Expected to RiseThis has led to warnings for several low-lying areas, including Chaderghat, Moosarambagh, Attapur, Jiyaguda, Bahadurpura, Rajendranagar, Bandlaguda Jagir, Narsingi, Phoolbagh, and Nagole.
Local residents in these areas have been advised to remain vigilant, avoid venturing into flooded streets, and keep valuables at a higher level in their homes. Officials have also appealed to citizens to follow traffic advisories, as several low-level causeways could become impassable.
For many living along the Musi, flood warnings bring back memories of past water surges. “We have seen the river rise suddenly in the past,” said Mohammed Saleem, a shopkeeper in Moosarambagh. “When the gates open, we know the water can come quickly. We just hope everyone stays safe this time.”
Lessons from History: The 1908 FloodsHimayat Sagar and Osman Sagar were not always part of Hyderabad’s skyline. These reservoirs were constructed after the devastating Musi River floods of 1908, which killed thousands and left the city in ruins. At the time, the Nizam’s government decided to build these two large water bodies not only to store drinking water but also to act as flood-control mechanisms.
More than a century later, their role remains crucial—but experts warn that urbanisation, encroachment, and siltation have reduced their water-holding capacity. This means reservoirs now reach danger levels faster during heavy rains, forcing authorities to open gates earlier and discharge more water than before.
Authorities Urge PreparednessMeanwhile, disaster management teams have been stationed near vulnerable stretches of the Musi, ready to assist in case of emergencies.
“People need to take these alerts seriously,” said a GHMC official. “It’s not just about the water in the river—it’s also about how quickly it can spread into homes and roads. A little caution now can prevent a lot of trouble later.”
As the rain clouds hover over the city and its outskirts, Hyderabad’s residents are keeping a cautious watch on the skies and the rising waters. The Himayat and Osman Sagar reservoirs, built more than a hundred years ago to protect the city, are once again proving their worth—reminding everyone that while nature can be unpredictable, preparation remains our best defense.