HYDERABAD: Groundwater levels fell the steepest in Tirumalgiri as compared to other places in Telangana where groundwater levels are monitored by Telangana State Ground Water Department (TSGWD).As per the data on groundwater levels for June 2017 released by TSGWD on Saturday, Tirumalgiri recorded a fall of 9.67 metres as compared to the levels recorded in June 2016.
While most parts of the state recorded an improvement in groundwater levels in June 2017 as compared to June 2016 due to above normal rainfall in June, a few areas recorded a fall in groundwater levels, steepest of which is in Tirumalgiri.
In Tirumalgiri it fell from 3.66 meters below ground level (mbgl) to 13.35 mbgl, a fall of 9.67 meters. The second steepest fall in groundwater is at Mancherial where it fell from 7.59 mbgl to 16.12 mbgl.
Such a steep fall in spite of above normal rainfall has sounded alarm bells as to what awaits in the coming months when monsoon will subside and requirement for water will increase. This has also raised a need for taking up groundwater conservation measures in Tirumalgiri and nearby areas, which fall under the Secunderabad Cantonment Board limits.
BT Srinivasan, General Secretary of United Federation of Resident Welfare Associations (UFERWAS) says, “There are three important lakes around Tirumalgiri which have shrunk to less than half of their original size due to encroachments. As the lakes play an important role in ensuring that groundwater levels are maintained, there is a need to take up restoration of these lakes the way many other lakes are being restored in the state.”
S Chandrasekhar of Open Secunderabad Cantonment Cantonment Roads (OSCAR) said, “Groundwater is being illegally exploited by some mineral water plants located in areas located around Tirumalgiri who extract large quantities of groundwater daily. The government should ensure that this illegal exploitation does not take place.”
Groundwater levels on rise after rains hit TS
Hyderabad: Groundwater levels in June witnessed a rise of 3.76 metre below the ground level (mbgl) in the state due to excessive rainfall. According to the latest report, in the present water year 2017-18, the state received 47 per cent excess rainfall over the normal rainfall during June 2017 and resulted in a rise in water levels of 3.76 mbgl, when compared to May 2016.
During present water year 2017-2018, 25 districts received excess rainfall and five districts received normal rainfall. The recharge to groundwater has been considerably good and slight improvement in the water levels is observed during 2017-18 water year in the state, according to the report. Since this monsoon period is commenced from this month further recharge to groundwater has to be taken place along with rise in water levels and get sufficient recharge to ground water and there should be improvement in water levels during this water year.