Groundwater Levels Plunge in Agriculture-Rich Districts
Kakinada records sharpest fall as officials flag depletion and pollution
Kakinada: Deficient rainfall attributed to El Niño has brought down groundwater levels drastically in Kakinada, East Godavari, and Eluru districts.
In Konaseema district, groundwater is highly polluted due to drains overflowing into canals and salinity issues. Depletion of groundwater is low in most areas of West Godavari district. In fact, there is a mild rise in level in the delta area of WG district.
Compared to August 2025, depletion of water levels in Kakinada district has increased by 3.5 metres, from 7.14 metres to 10.45 metres on average. Gandepalli mandal is the worst affected, as the groundwater levels have fallen to 74.70 metres from 71.33 metres. Jaggampet fell to 23.48 from 17.53 and Valuthimmapuram to 30.95 from 26.69.
Kakinada district groundwater officer P. Radhakrishna disclosed that they have received nearly 600 applications, seeking permission for new borewells. He advised people to save water and use it wisely.
East Godavari district groundwater officer Y. Srinivas said groundwater levels have depleted by 1.85 metres compared to last year. He pointed out that the rainfall deficit has been 58.60 mm, as the district received only 247 mm of rainfall instead of 598 mm.
The depletion of water level at Rajanagaram is 4 metres, Devarapalli 3.5 metres, Korukonda 3.8 metres, and Nallajerla 2.4 metres. These mandals have sandstone, hence water could be retained. But Devarapalli, Kovvuru, Chagallu, Gokavaram, Seethanagaram, and some parts of Kovvuru and Gopalapuram are rocky areas, where the groundwater situation is bad.
Konaseema area has groundwater at a depth of just 3 to 4 metres, but it is polluted due to mixing of drainages and canals. Non-use of drinking water ponds has resulted in their pollution. Aquaculture is another reason for pollution of groundwater levels.
Konaseema district groundwater officer D. Prathyusha said groundwater levels have depleted in Ravulapalem and Atreyapuram mandals due to the El Nino effect.
In West Godavari district, groundwater levels are okay due to the presence of canals and the delta system. District groundwater officer V. Vani Sailaja said groundwater levels in some areas have seen a mild rise.