Hyderabad's lake revival insufficient for water crisis solutions

Hyderabad is facing a serious water crisis as groundwater levels continue to drop. The city's efforts to rejuvenate lakes have provided some hope, but experts say this is not enough to solve the problem of dwindling water supplies. They call for better urban planning to help enhance water absorption and conservation. In the past, about 60% of Hyderabad's land allowed water to soak in. Today, due to increased urbanization, more than 75% of the area is concreted, with less than 25% available for percolation. Experts highlight that without addressing stormwater management, rejuvenation efforts may be wasted. Data shows that Hyderabad has lost 61% of its lake area since 1979. Nearly 40 of its 185 lakes have dried up completely. This includes well-known lakes like Ibrahim Cheruvu and RK Puram. Urban planners suggest using permeable pavements and soakaway pits to improve groundwater recharge. There is also interest in the "sponge city" model, which lets cities absorb and reuse rainwater. This model includes features like rain gardens and landscaped drainage channels. Restoring historic water-holding structures is another important strategy. Hyderabad has over 6,000 historical Bowlis and more than 100 stepwells. Some of these have been successfully restored, which can help local water supplies. For example, Bansilal Stepwell can store 22 lakh litres of water, while a 900-year-old stepwell near Shamshabad holds between 30 to 35 lakh litres.