Osman Sagar is overflowing! after 10 years.

Osman Sagar Reservoir, which is more commonly called as Gandipet has touched its FTL (Full Tank Level) of 1790 feet, yesterday. Two of the fifteen Dam gates are partially opened last night to let out water into Musi River. Due to heavy rains this year, it is just not Osman Sagar, but every water body in the State is full or overflowing. Osman Sagar has reached its FTL after a gap of 10 years. Many people from the Twin Cities are rushing to Gandipet to see the vast lake at its full capacity and the gushing water at the Dam gates.

Gandipet is yearlong picnic spot of the Twin Cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. It is very close to the City, almost a part of the City now. People go there to see a near-empty lake in summer and definitely after the rains as it swells. The above photographs are from a few of our several visits to Osman Sagar and the close by Himayath Sagar. I must admit that the photos are not clear and do not project the beauty of the place even by a small degree. They are included only to give an overall idea of the place.

Osman Sagar Reservoir was formed here by constructing a Dam across River Musi in 1920. The lake is spread over an area of 46 Sq.Km. Other detailed statistics of the Dam and Reservoir are in photograph No.6; you may click on the photo to zoom in and read. It was named Osman Sagar after the then ruler of Hyderabad State, H.E.H. Mir Osman Ali Khan. It was constructed to control the flooding of the city during heavy rains and to cater to the growing demand for drinking water to the people of the city. It is still a big source of water supply to Hyderabad. Musi River, which was long ago called as Muchukunda River is a tributary of River Krishna. Musi River originates in Anantagiri Hills at Vikarabad which is about 90 km from Hyderabad. Musi joins Krishna near Wazirabad in Nalgonda District after travelling a total distance of 240 Kms.

The course of Musi passes through several areas of Hyderabad but this is more a sewerage canal of the city now. I hope the water being let out at Gandipet would clean the course of Musi, which the authorities are unable to accomplish.