Telangana’s groundwater crisis deepens, 500 villages face severe depletion

In Vattipalli village (Marrigudem Mandal) of Nalgonda district, farmer Ananta Reddy’s desperate quest for water ended in heartbreak. After sinking over 130 borewells to save his 10-acre orchard, he drew a blank. With groundwater proving elusive, Reddy was forced to sell his land at a throwaway price. “Today, each acre is worth Rs 70 lakh, but water remains a distant dream,” he lamented.

Similarly, in Koppole village of Gurrampode mandal, farmers drilled over 70 borewells in vain as groundwater levels plummeted, leaving crops and livelihoods in peril. These stories are not isolated. According to the Telangana Groundwater Department sources, about 500 villages across the State are grappling with excessive groundwater extraction, threatening the region’s water security. Districts such as Vikarabad, Nagarkurnool, Yadadri Bhongir and Medchal-Malkajgiri are among the worst hit,



with over-exploitation soaring by 36 per cent statewide.

The Groundwater Department’s latest report, based on 1,771 piezometers monitored in April across all 33 districts, paints a grim picture. The average groundwater level in Telangana stood at 10.17 m below ground level (mbgl), ranging from 5.57 m in Jagtial to a staggering 16.60 m in Vikarabad. While 18 districts recorded levels between 5 and 10 m, 11 reported 10-15 m and four districts — Vikarabad among them — saw dangerously low levels exceeding 15 m.

Despite a marginal 0.34-m rise in groundwater levels compared to April 2024, 16 districts experienced a decline, with Siddipet recording the steepest drop at 2.54 m. Nalgonda, however, saw a 2.92-m rise, offering a glimmer of hope. Compared to May 2024, the State’s groundwater level rose by 0.19 m, but Siddipet again reported the largest fall at 2.78 m.