Himayatsagar gates opened

The reservoir is receiving 1,250 cusecs and a red alert was issued when the water level reached 1,762.8 feet.

Three floodgates were lifted at the Himayatsagar, after the reservoir filled up with water on Tuesday. About 200 families along the Musi at Chaderghat were asked to move to safer places. The GHMC has made arrangements at schools, function halls and a madrasa to accommodate them.

Depending on the rainfall upstream and inflows into Himayatsagar, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) may release excess water from the fourth gate.

The reservoir is receiving 1,250 cusecs and a red alert was issued when the water level reached 1,762.8 feet, against the full tank level (FTL) of 1763.50 feet.

“Lifting three gates might not inundate the adjacent areas but after lifting the fourth gate, authorities have to be on their toes. We have alerted residents in the downstream areas and the same information has been passed through revenue, GHMC and police,” said a HMWSSB official.

Hyderabad police advised people living alonside the river to be alert as there may be flash floods after midnight. The alert was sounded for Kishanbagh, Ziaguda, Puranapul, MGBS, Chaderghat, Amberpet, Puranapul, Attapur, Golnaka. The GHMC has asked its deputy commissioners and zonal commissioners of Golconda, Asifnagar, Bahadurpura, Nampally, Charminar, Himayatnagar and Saidabad to be on high alert for inundation and evacuate people if the need arises.

— R. PAVAN People gather to watch water at the Himayatsagar which nearly reached the full tank level on Tuesday. Officials released water from three gates and may open a fourth gate if there are more inflows, forcing residents in downstream areas to move out.