The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) has rejected a widely circulated message claiming that the city’s reservoirs will run dry by the end of November and that water supply could be severely restricted or stopped.
The Board said the message, circulated on WhatsApp and other social media platforms, was not issued by HMWSSB, also known as Jalmandali. It urged residents not to believe or forward unverified messages appearing in the Board’s name and asked them to rely on official announcements for information about reservoir storage and water supply conditions.
The message claimed that projections showed most reservoirs would run dry by the end of November. It linked the alleged situation to the El Niño effect and an approaching drought, and warned that Hyderabad could face limited or no water supply. HMWSSB said the information about reservoir storage and supply conditions contained in the message was not official.
The Board issued the clarification through a post on X after the message began circulating widely. Its response was aimed at distinguishing official water-supply communication from unauthorised material being shared in the name of the city’s water utility.
Alongside the clarification, HMWSSB reiterated water-conservation directions for residents. These include avoiding the use of hose pipes to wash vehicles, ramps and roads, using dry sweeping for routine maintenance, and repairing household leaks promptly. The Board also appealed to residents to use water responsibly and conserve supplies.
The episode highlights the role of official communication in a city where information about reservoirs and supply conditions can influence household behaviour. HMWSSB asked residents to obtain updates on water supply and conservation only through Jalmandali’s official announcements and information channels.
The Board did not announce any change to Hyderabad’s water-supply arrangements in the clarification. Its immediate direction was that residents should not rely on the circulating message or pass it on to others.
