Telangana groundwater falls to 8.28 m as rainfall deficit widens to 24%

Average groundwater levels in Telangana have fallen further, with the State Ground Water Department’s October report showing that water has to be drawn from deeper levels in many districts. The average level dropped from 7.52 metres below ground level (m bgl) in September to 8.28 m bgl in October. The decline was recorded as the rainfall deficit in the State widened to 24% between June 1 and October 31, from 17% until the end of September. Officials attribute the shortfall to the impact of El Niño weather conditions.

The department monitored water levels through 1,771 piezometers covering all mandals across the State’s 33 districts. Vikarabad recorded the deepest average groundwater level at 13.54 m bgl, while Jagtial had the shallowest at 4.21 m bgl. Moderately deep levels of 15–20 m bgl and very deep levels of more than 20 m bgl were found in nearly 8% of the State’s area.

Ten districts have average depth to water levels above 10 m bgl, meaning borewells must go deeper to reach groundwater. After Vikarabad, the districts are Sangareddy at 12.93 m bgl, Rangareddy at 12.75 m bgl, Medchal Malkajgiri at 12.67 m bgl, Mahabubnagar at 11.96 m bgl, Medak at 11.48 m bgl, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri at 11.12 m bgl, Hyderabad at 11.1 m bgl, Jayashankar Bhupalapally at 10.74 m bgl and Kamareddy at 10.05 m bgl.

Four districts have average water levels below 5 m bgl. Jagtial is followed by Khammam at 4.34 m bgl, Mahabubabad at 4.48 m bgl and Mancherial at 4.76 m bgl. Across the State, shallow water levels of less than 5 m bgl cover nearly 24% of the area, levels between 5 m bgl and 10 m bgl cover around 46%, and 22% of the area has levels between 10 m bgl and 15 m bgl.

Telangana received 628 mm rainfall against a normal of 831 mm. While 11 districts recorded normal rainfall, in the range of -19% to -3%, 22 districts recorded a deficit in the range of -20% to -50%. Officials from the Agriculture and Horticulture departments have anticipated that groundwater levels may deplete further in the coming months. Officials from these departments and the electricity department have urged farmers to choose less water-intensive crops for the Rabi (Yasangi) season and to avoid paddy.

The State government has declared 365 mandals in 31 districts as drought-affected for the Kharif season following deficit rainfall in the southwest monsoon. Of these, 111 mandals were classified as severely drought-affected and 254 as moderately affected.

Discussions on a potential water shortage due to El Niño and on methods to conserve water are taking centre stage across Telangana. Farmers are concerned about crop losses if they cultivate in Rabi. The government is deploying artistes to spread the message on the impact of the weather phenomenon. The Hyderabad district administration plans to hold awareness sessions in schools and colleges.

Water conservation expert Vishwanath Srikantaiah said water can be conserved every day by using aerators, which mix air into the water flow and can save up to 40% of water. He suggested watering plants in the morning and late evening to cut evaporation, and using washing machines once in two to three days with a full load.

In Hyderabad, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) launched a 'Dial a green tanker service' to provide treated water from sewage treatment plants for non-potable purposes at parks, construction sites, industrial units and other places. It also launched a Paani app for people to lodge complaints about water wastage.