Hyderabad: Telangana received 21% higher rainfall than normal during the water year from 2024-25 to March 31, 2025, but groundwater levels across the state show a different trend.
According to data from the groundwater sector that monitors groundwater at 1,771 locations in 33 regions, the average depth of available groundwater is 9.91 meters (MBGL) lower than 9.91 meters (MBGL) below groundwater. Compared with last summer (May 2024), although it is slightly lower than last year (March 2024).
Groundwater levels in 14 regions have improved across the state. Nalgonda rose by 3.18 meters, followed by Nagarkurnool (+2.27 m), Jogulamba-Gadwal (+2.22 m) and Suryapet (+2.19 m). However, 19 regions, including Bhupalpally, recorded a drop in the highest decline of 6.44 meters.
Over the past decade, areas with very deep water levels (more than 20 meters) have more than doubled, from 1,547 square kilometers to 3,212 square kilometers across the state.
Borewell Diggers and residents explained that groundwater availability and depth vary by location and elevation. In areas such as Gachibowli, Hitec City, Madhapur and Kondapur, water is usually only found after excavation exceeds 50 feet.
“The depth of the hole does depend on the area,” said Borewell technician Shiva Prakash. “At higher elevations, you usually have to go deeper. In flat areas, you might get water at 30 feet, but that doesn’t mean it’s reliable.”
He explained that even when water is found in shallow water, people often choose to dig deeper. “That’s because 30 or 50 feet of water won’t last very long. Especially in the summer. Now most holes will go deep to 200 to 300 feet, so they can drop seasonally.”
In addition to that, Satyanarayana, a senior official of the Water Commission, explained the science behind it.
“Groundwater cannot be kept fixed at a specific depth. It moves and adjusts according to natural forces. One of the main reasons is called hydrostatic pressure, which is the pressure exerted by the weight of water in the surrounding rock layer.”
“When the hole is drilled and hit the water area, the pressure on that layer can actually push the water into the inside of the drill hole. That’s why even if the water source is 200 feet (such as 200 feet), the water level in the hole may be stable at 100 feet, and it also tries to balance with the ground atmospheric pressure.”
He explained that people can rely more than just visible water levels. “This is not always stable. Groundwater levels change with the season, they drop after rain and sometimes drop rapidly in summer. If the source of water is shallow, it dries quickly. That’s why most people drill more deeply now.”
“Decades ago we used to hit water at 30 or 50 feet. Now, no one stopped before 100 feet. We’ve passed groundwater for years and it’s no longer available as before.”
In a gated community, the organised progress is even deeper. “We bumped into water at 100 feet, but dug it to 300 feet. In the summer, the water level dropped. With so many people living here, we have to plan ahead.”
V. Goutham of Boduppal added: “The ground has different layers. The first aquifer, about 100 feet deep, will not last. The more reliable second layer is deeper, between 200 and 300 feet, which is why we dig deeper.”
As the groundwater levels continue to drop, and the order is getting deeper and deeper, water commission officials pointed out the importance of harvesting rainwater. To avoid such problems, we asked people to install rainwater collection pits, but many still haven’t implemented it.
