Decrease in Telangana groundwater compared to last year

Like in AP, the southwest monsoon has failed to increase groundwater levels in TS too. Before the arrival of the monsoon in June, the average groundwater level (in May) was 13.27 mbgl, an increase of just 0.71 metres to 12.56 mbgl in June. This is expected to get impacted as rains continue to be much less in the state in July as compared to June.

A rain year is calculated from June to May and groundwater data recorded in May is considered the most significant and an indicator of real groundwater levels by hydrologists. In May, the level dipped by a massive 3.29 metres: 13.27 mgbl as compared to 9.98 mgbl in May last year.

In TS, groundwater was deepest as per June 2015 data at 21.42 mbgl in Medak, followed by 15.70 mbgl in Ranga Reddy and 14.54 mbgl in Nizamabad. A serious matter of concern is the fact that 84 per cent of groundwater in Medak and 70 per cent in Ranga Reddy is used every year through borewells, pushing the groundwater level ever deeper.

The figures for June 2015 show Marredpally is the worst affected, with the water falling to 20.55 metres below ground level, followed by SR Nagar at 18.7. On average, groundwater in the city was 9.72 mbgl in June 2014 against 9.66 mbgl in June 2015.

K. Dhanunjaya, deputy director of the groundwater board, said borewells were reaching deeper and tapping groundwater from even deep fracture zones where water had accumulated.

“Water percolates easily to weathered zones but not to fracture zones. Once water is emptied from fracture zones, it might cause serious environmental damage as a vacuum gets created leading to settling of the earth above,” he said. “This will not only show its impact above the ground but also result in closing up of pores through which water percolates,” he said.

Groundwater is also rejuvenated through aquifers which have large underground networks. This makes it important that small hills in and around the city should not be disturbed.