Singur Dam Water Level Drops to 4.477 TMC Threatening 1,500 Crocodiles and Water Supply

On June 28, 2026, water levels at the Singur dam reservoir dropped sharply to 4.477 TMC, threatening the habitat of up to 1,500 mugger crocodiles and forcing emergency pumping to maintain Hyderabad's drinking water supply. The decline in the reservoir's water levels is due to a lack of rainfall in the upstream catchment areas of Karnataka.

According to the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB), the water level at the reservoir was recorded at 1,691 feet against its full tank level of 1,717 feet. The dam has an original capacity of 29.917 TMC.

HMWSSB officials warned that the trend in water levels has become critical. The 2,000-hectare reservoir houses between 1,000 and 1,500 mugger crocodiles in its backwaters. As the water recedes drastically, these crocodiles face a severe loss of their natural freshwater habitat. Officials stated that if the dam reaches dead storage due to a lack of fresh inflows, the survival of the crocodiles could be severely affected.

The current situation has raised fears of a repeat of 2015, when the Manjeera dam dried up completely due to scanty rainfall. At that time, mugger crocodiles emerged onto nearby agricultural fields, triggering panic among local farmers and residents. A water board official noted that a similar situation may occur if the monsoon remains unfavourable.

To sustain the drinking water supply for Hyderabad, HMWSSB officials set up emergency pumping arrangements a month ago. Over the past two to three weeks, the board has been drawing 67 million gallons per day (MGD) of water from the Singur dam to meet the demands of 1.5 lakh consumers in the city and its suburbs.

The water board also supplies Singur water to key defence establishments in Medak and Hyderabad. A senior HMWSSB official warned that if rains do not report in the upstream areas of Karnataka, a water shortage in the city is inevitable.