Ground Water Levels Falling Drastically in Hyderabad, Despite Above Normal Rainfall

Hyderabad: With over-extraction of ground water due to rapid urban expansion and inadequate focus on rainwater harvesting structures coupled with extensive carpeting of ground with CC roads, have been showing a consistent fall in the groundwater levels in GHMC areas up to the Outer Ring Road (ORR). This has been so from December compared to last year. On an average, the GHMC limits saw 9.46 metres fall below ground level (BGL).

Even after the Hyderabad Metropolitan areas received 858 mm rainfall against the normal of 747 mm, 15 per cent excess, the city limits have witnessed a net fall in groundwater levels of 1.33 metres and 0.58 metres in January and December 2024 in comparison to January 2024 and December 2023.

These were the shocking findings from an exercise carried out by the groundwater department through 57 piezometers (monitoring stations) covering 46 mandals in GHMC area up to the ORR.

The groundwater in Kukatpally fell to a disturbing 25.90 metres BGL as against the average of 9.46 metres. Malkajgiri and Ameerpet followed with 24.71 metres and 17.83 metres, respectively.

About 44 per cent of GHMC limits up to ORR were found to have 10 to 15 metres BGL, another 45 per cent saw water levels between five to 10 metres BGL and only three per cent occupied shallow water levels of less than five metres below ground level.

Around seven per cent area in north, north-western and eastern parts of the city saw moderately deep water levels of 15 to 20 metres BGL.

But one per cent area covering parts of Serilingampally, Hayathnagar and Saroornagar mandals of Rangareddy district, Kukatpally and Malkajgiri mandals of Medchal Malkajgiri district saw more than 20 metres BGL.

Interestingly, The average water levels in GHMC limits from 2017 to 2025 shows a rising trend of around 19 centimetres.

Noted environmentalist Dr Lubna Sarwath points out that rapid urban expansion and construction activities have led to increased extraction of groundwater, especially among high-rise towers, apartment complexes and commercial units due to inadequate piped water supply. This over-reliance on groundwater has accelerated its depletion.

Despite efforts like making rainwater harvesting structures mandatory for houses, much of the rainwater still goes into storm drains rather than being used to recharge aquifers.

Dr Sarvath wonders where the government is spending the rain water harvesting cess collected from the people. Referring to rainwater harvesting theme park at Jubilee Hills, she said that the theme park is neither functioning nor has it been constructed scientifically.

GRAPHICS INFORMATION

Average groundwater level in GHMC from 2017 to 2025 reflect increase of 19 cm every year.

This year, even after above normal rainfall, city witnesses fall in groundwater level

GHMC sees an average 9.46-metre fall below the ground level.

Kukatpally worst-affected with water at 25.90 below ground level.