Groundwater sees 5-year high

Current levels could rise and make summer easy

Heavy rains in September resulted in a record rise in groundwater levels in the city. The average groundwater level for Hyderabad recorded this September is 5.18 metres below ground level (mbgl). Last September, it was 9.12 mbgl and in August it was 9.76 mbgl.

Telangana groundwater department has been monitoring groundwater in 16 locations in Hyderabad for the past five years and department officials said that the average groundwater level was never recorded below 6mbgl.

Deputy director, Telangana Groundwater department K. Dhananjaiah said, “It is to be seen if the groundwater levels will get better than the current level due to further percolation of water from lakes and reservoirs surrounding Hyderabad. However, if there is high quantity of silt in these water bodies then it is difficult.”

He added, “Looking at the present groundwater levels and expecting good amount of inflows in lakes and reservoirs, it can be said that the water problems next summer will not be too grave.”

As per the India Meteorological Department, till Thursday, Hyderabad received 851 millimeters rainfall since the arrival of the Southwest monsoon this year in June. This is 241mm more than normal.

The best example of how heavy rains have resulted in a steep rise in groundwater levels is of Marredpally where the increase has been by 10.43 mbgl in September 2016, compared to 2015.

While last September the groundwater level in Marredpally was 20.15 mbgl, this year in August it was 15.35 mbgl.

THE AVERAGE groundwater level was never below 6 mbgl.

MARREDPALLY recorded a significant rise in groundwater levels currently reaching 10.43