Groundwater Levels Fall in Six Telangana Districts
HYDERABAD: Groundwater use has increased significantly across Telangana, with the average groundwater level declining from 9.06 metres in April to 9.26 metres in May this year. However, compared with May last year, the state’s average groundwater level remains 0.81 metres higher.
According to the latest report released by the Telangana Ground Water Department, groundwater levels declined in six districts despite the overall improvement in the state average.
Vikarabad records deepest groundwater level
Vikarabad district has the deepest groundwater level in Telangana, with water found at a depth of 14.45 metres in May. In contrast, Khammam district recorded the shallowest groundwater level, with water available at 5.67 metres below the surface.
Several regions face groundwater stress
Areas with the deepest groundwater levels are concentrated across eight districts. These include parts of Medchal-Malkajgiri, Rangareddy, Sangareddy, Vikarabad, Kamareddy, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Nizamabad and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts.
The report identified groundwater stress mainly in southern and western parts of Medchal-Malkajgiri, northern Rangareddy, parts of Sangareddy and Vikarabad, northern Kamareddy, northern Jayashankar Bhupalpally, southern Nizamabad and southern and eastern regions of Bhadradri Kothagudem.
Hyderabad among districts showing decline
Groundwater levels fell in the following districts compared with May last year:
| District | May 2025 (m) | May 2026 (m) | Decline (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jayashankar Bhupalpally | 10.98 | 13.21 | 2.23 |
| Hyderabad | 18.21 | 27.46 | 9.25 |
| Bhadradri Kothagudem | 10.13 | 10.42 | 0.29 |
| Jagtial | 5.63 | 5.81 | 0.18 |
| Suryapet | 6.69 | 7.24 | 0.55 |
| Warangal | 6.14 | 6.27 | 0.13 |
Excess extraction driving depletion
The Ground Water Department has already identified that groundwater extraction in Telangana exceeds natural recharge. Water consumption remains particularly high in southern and central Telangana districts.
Officials said rainfall has helped improve groundwater levels in some areas, but excessive extraction continues to deplete reserves rapidly. Several villages in Hyderabad, Rangareddy, Mahabubnagar, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Medak, Medchal-Malkajgiri and Nalgonda districts fall within the high-consumption zone.
The department has advised people to construct recharge pits and conserve water to help stabilise groundwater levels. Officials said public participation is essential to address the issue.
