Telangana groundwater levels fall 3.11 metres
HYDERABAD: The monsoon season is drawing to a close, but not a single reservoir in Telangana has filled to capacity. Tanks have seen little inflow, while streams have also remained largely dry.
As a result, the state’s groundwater reserves have failed to recharge during the monsoon and have continued to decline. The average groundwater level in September fell by 3.11 metres compared with the same month last year.
The groundwater level, which stood at 4.41 metres below ground level in September 2025, fell to 7.52 metres this September. The decline has raised concerns over drinking water availability.
Ground Water Department director K. Laxma released a report on the situation on Thursday.
Warning signs emerge as monsoon fails to recharge groundwater
Groundwater levels normally reach their lowest point by May every year because water consumption rises during summer. The state’s average groundwater level stood at 7.87 metres below ground level in May this year.
The southwest monsoon, from June to September, is expected to recharge groundwater as rainwater percolates into the soil. However, deficient rainfall meant groundwater reserves failed to recover.
High temperatures also increased water loss through evaporation. The weather department has indicated that significant rainfall is unlikely from now on, meaning only a small quantity of water is expected to percolate into the ground.
Water resources officials have warned that drinking water could become a problem from October through May 2027.
Hyderabad, neighbouring districts record sharpest declines
Hyderabad recorded the steepest fall in groundwater levels among the districts. The average depth stood at 3.57 metres in September last year but fell by 6.44 metres to 10.01 metres this September.
In Medchal-Malkajgiri, the average groundwater level fell by 6.29 metres, from 5.35 metres to 11.64 metres.
Vikarabad recorded a decline of 6.17 metres, from 5.79 metres to 11.96 metres.
In Rangareddy, the level fell from 6.31 metres to 11.74 metres. Mahabubnagar recorded a fall from 5.27 metres to 10.51 metres, while Sangareddy saw its groundwater level decline from 6.08 metres to 11.21 metres.
Peddapalli and Mancherial see smaller declines
Peddapalli recorded the smallest decline in the state. Its average groundwater level fell by 1.02 metres, from 3.52 metres in September last year to 4.54 metres this September.
The decline was 1.05 metres in Mancherial, 1.18 metres in Kumuram Bheem Asifabad and 1.82 metres in Jagtial.
19 districts record severe rainfall deficit
The impact of El Nino delayed the monsoon, forcing farmers and households to depend more heavily on borewells during June and July.
The state recorded an average rainfall deficit of 18%, while 19 districts experienced a severe rainfall deficit. They are Nalgonda, Nirmal, Hyderabad, Adilabad, Mahabubnagar, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Hanamkonda, Jangaon, Jogulamba-Gadwal, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Rangareddy, Sangareddy, Suryapet, Vikarabad, Wanaparthy, Warangal, Yadadri-Bhongir, Nagarkurnool and Narayanpet.
Groundwater levels have fallen significantly in these districts.
Officials urge people to conserve water
“El Nino reduced rainfall in the state. At the same time, groundwater levels have been affected. With less water percolating into the soil, groundwater levels have fallen. Everyone should use water responsibly and sparingly. Preventing wastage is everyone’s responsibility,” K. Laxma, director of the Ground Water Department, said.
