Hyderabad: Bachupally stares at groundwater crisis during summer
Hyderabad: As summer is expected to be above normal in Telangana in March 2025, several localities of Greater Hyderabad including Bachupally, home to 80 percent IT professionals, are faced with a severe groundwater crisis.
A recent analysis done by the Telangana State Groundwater Department has revealed a significant decline in groundwater levels across most areas of Greater Hyderabad compared to the previous year.
The officials examined groundwater data from 53 locations extending up to the Outer Ring Road. The data available with the Telangana Groundwater Department reveals alarming figures.
The officials found that the average groundwater level in January 2025 was 1.33 meters lower than in January 2024. Out of the 53 locations analyzed, groundwater levels dropped in 33 areas, while 20 locations showed improvement. As of January 31, 2025, the average groundwater depth in the city stood at 9.46 meters. While some suburban areas recorded an increase in groundwater levels, however, the heart of the city witnessed a decline.
Between December 2024 and the end of January 2025, groundwater levels in Hyderabad depleted by 0.58 meters. Kukatpally reported the steepest decline, with water levels dropping to a record depth of 25.9 meters. Malkajgiri followed closely at 24.71 meters, while SR Nagar recorded a depth of 20.08 meters.
Groundwater levels in Quthbullapur mandal (Bachupally) have dropped to 5.33 meters below the surface. The affected area has now expanded to 37.03 square kilometers, with nearly 31.7 square kilometers falling under the critically low groundwater level region.
Other areas where groundwater levels exceeded a depth of 10 meters include Erragadda, Chandrayangutta, Medipally, Hashmathpet, Yapral, Fatehnagar, Dulapally, Shambipur, Chengicherla, Gundla Pochampally, Jeedimetla, Uppal, Patancheru, and Ramachandrapuram.
Groundwater Crisis Deepens in Bachupally
Bachupally in Telangana is facing a severe groundwater depletion crisis, with danger zones emerging due to excessive extraction. A recent study by the Bhugarbha Jala Shakha (Groundwater Department) in February 2025 reveals alarming… pic.twitter.com/vtmjnUNTBD
— Hyderabad Mail (@Hyderabad_Mail) March 2, 2025
Factors like rapid construction, unauthorized borewells, and increasing domestic consumption are reported to have led to over-exploitation of the city’s groundwater table. With no immediate rainfall forecast, the several parts of Hyderabad are on the brink of a severe water shortage.
