NALGONDA: With the rising summer temperatures, groundwater levels in eight mandals of the erstwhile Nalgonda district have depleted to alarming levels.
The Groundwater department, which surveyed 28 mandals in Nalgonda, 18 mandals in Suryapet and 14 mandals in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri districts last month, has found a 20-metre drop in the levels in eight mandals: five in Nalgonda, two in Suryapet and one in Yadadri Bhuavnagiri districts. These mandals are Chityala, Kattangoor, Marriguda, Thirumalagiri and Neredugommu in Nalgonda, Munagala and Thirumalagiri in Suryapet and Samsthan Narayanapuram in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri.
Officials concerned said the forest cover in erstwhile Nalgonda district, which stands at a meager 6 per cent, rampant digging of bore wells are reasons for the depleting levels.
The rate at which groundwater level is dropping in these districts will also have adverse health effects. Doctors warn that this would increase the presence of fluoride, nitrate and other harmful substances in the water.