Khammam Tops Telangana with Shallowest Groundwater Levels in January 2026
Twelve districts recorded average water levels of less than 5 mbgl, while 21 districts fell in the 5–10 mbgl range.
Hyderabad: Groundwater levels have shown a significant improvement in January, driven by 37 per cent surplus rainfall recorded during the water year. Of the 33 districts in the state, Khammam reported groundwater at 3.5 metres below ground level (mbgl), while Vikarabad district had a deeper groundwater level of 9.82 mbgl.
Twelve districts recorded average water levels of less than 5 mbgl, while 21 districts fell in the 5–10 mbgl range.
What was more concerning that some areas which overlap the state capital — Medchal–Malkajgiri, Medak, Rangareddy, Sangareddy — as well as Siddipet and Nizamabad reported water availability at deeper than 9 mgbl, pointing to sustained pressure on groundwater resources.
A report of the state groundwater department also noted very deep groundwater levels in small pockets — exceeding 20 mbgl — persisted in districts such as Medchal–Malkajgiri, Rangareddy and Sangareddy, which include parts of the state capital, as well as Kamareddy, Bhupalpally and Bhadradri Kothagudem, although the overall area under severe groundwater stress had reduced compared to previous years.
According to the department’s latest assessment, the state received 1,178 mm of rainfall from June 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026, as against a normal rainfall of 859 mm. As a result, the average groundwater level in January 2026 stood at 6.28 mbgl, an improvement compared to 7.46 mbgl recorded in January 2025.
A net average rise of 1.18 metres was observed statewide compared to January 2025, with increases reported in 30 districts. The highest rise of 4.51 metres was recorded in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, while Peddapally showed a marginal increase of 0.01 metres. Compared to pre-monsoon levels in May 2025, groundwater levels rose by an average of 3.79 metres across all districts.
The report also noted a substantial reduction in areas with very deep groundwater levels. Regions with water levels deeper than 20 metres shrank from about 3,639 sq km in May 2025 to 558 sq km in January 2026.
Other districts with groundwater at below 5 mbgl included Jagtial, Peddapalli, Wanaparthy, Warangal, Suryapet and Jogulamba Gadwal.
Comparing January 2025 and January 2026, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri registered the highest rise in groundwater levels at 4.51 metres. Significant improvement was also observed in Adilabad, Rangareddy, Siddipet, Nagarkurnool, Hanumakonda and Jangaon, largely attributed to better rainfall and recharge.
Sircilla, Khammam and Bhupalpally were the only districts to witness a decline in groundwater levels during the same period.
Rainfall played a crucial role in groundwater recharge. Mulugu, which received the highest rainfall at 1,643 mm, along with Adilabad, Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Medak and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, showed noticeable improvement in groundwater levels. On the other hand, Jogulamba Gadwal, which received the lowest rainfall at 773 mm, remains comparatively vulnerable.
