Falling groundwater level rings alarm bells

Falling groundwater level rings alarm bells
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Highlights

Presenting a grim picture, the groundwater levels in the State are fast taking a beating. The latest report on the state of groundwater levels in Telangana shows that the average groundwater level in the month of March 2016 was 14.88m, where as it was 12.27m during the same period in 2015.

​Hyderabad: Presenting a grim picture, the groundwater levels in the State are fast taking a beating. The latest report on the state of groundwater levels in Telangana shows that the average groundwater level in the month of March 2016 was 14.88m, where as it was 12.27m during the same period in 2015.

  • Only three districts received normal rainfall and the remaining seven received deficit rainfall
  • 182 mandals in the State showed a falling trend and only a normal monsoon can better the situation

During 2015-16, the State received 25 per cent deficit rainfall which resulted in a fall in water level at 2.61 m below ground level (BGL) when compared to May 2015. Only three districts received normal rainfall and the remaining seven received deficit rainfall. Except for Nalgonda, Khammam and Warangal, none of the other districts received normal rainfall.

Officials at the Groundwater department say that the stress on groundwater is grave as the State received only 500 mm rainfall against the normal rainfall of 862 mm which is 25 per cent deficit against the normal till March 2016.

The fall in water levels is observed in the ranges from 0.21 to 5.95 m with the highest fall in average water levels being in Medak district.

As far as zoning of areas as per depth of groundwater table is concerned, shallow groundwater zones with water levels less than 5 m is observed in small parts of Khammam and Adilabad.

Deep water levels of more than 20 m were observed in most parts of Medak, Mahbubnagar, Ranga Reddy, Nizamabad and Nalgonda.

While officials say that there is no reason to press the panic button, the truth, however, is that in almost all the districts, water level fluctuation during March ‘16 in comparison with March ‘15 indicates no rise in parts of all districts but further fall in more areas in the State.

Deep water levels with more than 20m BGL are recorded in 127 mandals and the mandals with deep water levels are more in Medak, (35), Mahbubnagar (22), Nalgonda (22), Nizamabad (15) and Ranga Reddy (12).

Officials are hopeful that this year there would be a normal monsoon and the recharge of groundwater would happen. 182 mandals in the State showed a falling trend and only a normal monsoon could better the situation, opined an official.

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