Hyderabad: The groundwater levels marginally improved in Hyderabad, Adilabad and Ranga Reddy districts in July compared to the same time last year, as per data released by the Telangana Groundwater department.
In Hyderabad, groundwater has increased by 1.97 meter from being at a depth of 11.21 mbgl in July 2015 to 9.24 mbgl in July 2016. In Ranga Reddy though, it has bettered by just 0.21mbgl and in Adilabad by 1.12mbgl.
The slight increase in the three districts has been due to a better Southwest Monsoon this year. In July 2015, rainfall during the SW Monsoon was 41 per cent less than normal in RR, 33 per cent less in Hyderabad and 14 per cent less in Adilabad. This year, the SW monsoon rainfall has been 11 per cent, 7 per cent and 36 per cent above normal in RR, Hyderabad and Adilabad respectively.
Water in metres below ground level
However, the groundwater situation is still worrisome as the average groundwater level of Telangana has dipped by nearly one meter. In July 2016 it was recorded at 13.71mbgl whereas in July 2015 it was 12.73mbgl.
Except for Hyderabad, RR and Adilabad, groundwater levels have dipped in all other districts this July compared to last year. The steepest fall, of 4.01mbgl, has been recorded in Nalgonda.
Moreover, 102 of 464 mandals in Telangana have recorded groundwater at deep water levels, that is, at a depth of more than 20mbgl. The worst affected mandals are Medak (32), Mahbubnagar (19) and Nalgonda (12). The deepest groundwater level was recorded at 54.15mbgl in Chinna Kodur, Medak.
In Hyderabad, Marredpally recorded the deepest groundwater level at 22.55mbgl. Another 145 mandals in Telangana state have recorded moderate groundwater level between 10-20mbgl.
