Satellite image shows sewage flow into Hussainsagar

HYDERABAD: In spite of civic agencies claiming that there is no inflow of sewage into Hussainsagar, a tweet by a netizen showing a satellite image of the lake reveals sewage flowing into it.

The tweet, by a netizen named ‘Raj Bhagat P #Mapper4Life’ on twitter, reads: “#Satellite image of #Hyderabad from last week shows a green-colour algae filled polluted Hussain Sagar lake and black coloured sewage flowing into it and creating an inland delta as it enters the lake.” The tweet is accompanied by an image which shows an aerial view of Hussainsagar and the areas around it. As mentioned by the netizen, the lake has a green colour in the image, and a portion of it on the north side is black.

Environmentalist and lake expert Dr Subba Rao, on being informed of the tweet, said it was likely that the black portion in the image showed sewage and effluents entering the lake, as many industrial areas such as Moosapet, Balanagar and Jeedimetla were located on the north and north-western side of the lake. He said these industries were the main contributors to pollutants entering the lake.

“We made an attempt around 2015 to divert the incoming effluents downstream of Hussainsagar. But the diversion channels were wrongly placed. They can still be seen near the old airport. And from now until May, flow of both sewage and industrial waste will aggravate pollution and odour of the lake, as fresh water flows post the monsoon is diminished,” added Dr Subba Rao.

Recently, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) floated tenders to augment the capacity of the sewage treatment plants (STPs) on the banks of the lake to reduce the foul odour emanating from the water body.   

Officials from HMDA and HMWSSB could not be reached for their response.