Power outage disrupts Hyderabad water supply on February 1
Residents of Hyderabad are bracing for a major disruption in water supply on February 1, as a scheduled power shutdown from 10 am to 4 pm is set to impact several pumping stations. The Telangana Transmission Corporation (TGTRANSCO) will carry out urgent maintenance work at the Nasarlapally substation, replacing a non-functional 132 KV bulk load metering PT. As a result, water supply from Krishna Phase-I, II, and III will be significantly affected, leaving large parts of the city without access to running water. The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) has urged residents in affected localities, including Secunderabad Cantonment, Shaikpet, and Jubilee Hills, to store adequate water in advance to mitigate inconvenience. This temporary shutdown raises broader concerns over the city’s reliance on uninterrupted power for essential services, bringing to light the need for alternative solutions to avoid similar disruptions in the future.
The extensive power cut will impact multiple zones under the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) network, with localities ranging from Miralam and Boggulakunta to Madhapur and Gachibowli experiencing both power and water shortages. The scale of the disruption underscores Hyderabad’s growing infrastructure challenges, as critical services such as water supply remain vulnerable to scheduled maintenance activities. Authorities have assured residents that supply restoration will begin post-4 pm, but full normalisation may take additional time, depending on pressure levels in the pipelines. Such recurring incidents highlight the fragile state of urban service networks, where routine maintenance can bring essential services to a standstill. Comparatively, cities like Mumbai and Chennai have developed backup power solutions for critical water pumping stations, minimising the impact of power outages. In contrast, Hyderabad’s dependency on grid electricity leaves its water supply system highly susceptible to interruptions.
From a sustainability perspective, this situation points to the need for greater resilience in Hyderabad’s urban infrastructure. With a growing population and rising demand for water, alternative solutions such as solar-powered pumping stations and smart water management systems could reduce reliance on conventional power sources. Investments in decentralised water storage solutions and rainwater harvesting at the community level could also provide a buffer during disruptions. Sustainability-focused cities worldwide are increasingly adopting energy-efficient water distribution models, and Hyderabad must follow suit to ensure long-term service continuity. The government’s push for sustainable urban development must incorporate resilient energy frameworks that prevent disruptions to vital public utilities.
Beyond sustainability, this crisis also exposes gaps in civic planning and urban management. While infrastructure maintenance is essential, the lack of contingency measures for essential services raises concerns about governance priorities. Better coordination between power authorities and water supply agencies is required to ensure minimal disruption to residents. Implementing scheduled power maintenance during non-peak hours, integrating backup power sources for key pumping stations, and providing real-time updates to residents can prevent widespread inconvenience. As Hyderabad continues to expand, authorities must focus on building an urban ecosystem that prioritises service reliability, reducing the impact of such shutdowns on everyday life. Until then, residents remain at the mercy of planned outages, uncertain about when such disruptions will strike next.
