Cut in tankers with rise in groundwater

Hyderabad: Groundwater levels have increased in many areas in July, providing relief to residents who spend thousands of rupees to procure water tankers. But in other areas, like Marredpally and Nampally, the level has plunged.

The overall groundwater level improved by 0.61 metres to 11.21 metres as compared to 11.82 metres in May in the city.

The level increased by three metres in Asifnagar and more than one metre in Gachibowli, Bandlaguda and Ameerpet. Mr D. Nikhil, who stays in an apartment in Manikonda, said,

“About 10-15 days ago, we used to hire 4-5 water tankers of 5,000 litres by paying Rs 1,000 per tanker. Now the requirement has gone down to 1-2 tankers.”

In LB Nagar, a resident said, “The 85-feet borewell in our house had dried up last month but now we are getting water.”

In Marredpally and Nampally there was a huge fall in groundwater levels. In July, the groundwater level decre-ased by 5.25 metres in Marredpally, from 24.25 metres in May 2015 to 29.50 metres. In Nampally, the water level fell from 13.7 metres in May to 15.53 metres in July.

Officials at the groundwater department said the fall was due to the indiscriminate use of groundwater in these areas.

An official warned, “While the situation mig-ht look rosy in many areas, it will not stay the same as the rain did not fall over many spells. By November, many areas might return to being completely dependent on water tankers. They should start taking measures to reduce consumption of groundwater.”