Groundwater level up by 4 metres in Telangana

Hyderabad: The average groundwater level in the state has increased by more than 4 metres in the last nine years, according to data released by the state government.

"The rise is observed in 83 per cent of mandals is the highest in the country. It shows that groundwater extraction in the state has been reduced by 19 per cent, to 39 per cent from 58 in 2013," the report said.

The extractable groundwater resources had increased substantially in 2023 to 739 tmc ft (thousand million cubic feet) as compared to 2013 when it stood at 472 tmc ft.

“The Centre appreciated the efforts of the state government in raising the water table and reducing dependability on groundwater. The water levels have risen because of multi-pronged efforts made by the state government," the groundwater department said.

The state-level committee met on Friday to approve the ‘Dynamic Ground Water Resources of Telangana State for 2023’ under the chairmanship of Dr Rajat Kumar, special chief secretary, irrigation. The ground water resources were assessed jointly by the state’s groundwater department and the Central Groundwater Board (CGWB) of the Union jal shakti ministry. of Jal Shakthi.

It added that the efforts to restore the groundwater table included restoration of 27,472 tanks under Mission Kakatiya, using water from the Godavari through the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation scheme, filling of medium irrigation tanks at regular intervals by linking with major and medium projects and construction of over 1,000 artificial recharge structures such as check dams, percolation tanks and recharge shafts.

Dr Kumar said that groundwater resources must be optimally used for the welfare and prosperity of the farmers.

Shankar, in-charge director, groundwater department, and G. Krishnamurthy, regional director, CGWB and other officers attended the meeting. The SLC members representing various line departments participated in deliberations of the meeting.