The revival of rains has some good news for the State as there is marginal rise in ground water level though the rainfall up to August this year is still two % less compared to normal rainfall.
The Ground Water Department which monitors water levels every month through 857 piezometer monitoring stations spread in 854 mandals covering 31 districts said that the State received actual rainfall of 576 mm while the normal rainfall during the same period is 587 mm.
Average ground water level in the State during August 2018 is 9.74 meters below ground level (mbgl) and it varies from 1.94 mbgl (Adilabad district) to 20.3 mbgl (Medak district). The net rise in ground water level is 0.39 mbgl observed during August this year compared to August, 2017.
Out of 31 districts, 11 districts — Hyderabad, Jangoan, Mahabubnagar, Medak, Nagarkurnool, Nalgonda, Sangareddy, Siddipet, Vikarabad, Wanaparthy and Yadadri — received deficit rainfall.
Ground water levels in seven districts — Hyderabad, Jangoan, Nalgonda, Sangareddy, Siddipet, Vikarabad and Yadadri — recorded deeper levels in August 2018 than in July because of excess utilisation of ground water.
The fall in ground water levels is observed in 15 districts and the maximum fall is 3.8 mbgl in Medak district with 34 % deficit rainfall and minimum fall is 0.26 mbgl recorded in Suryapet district with normal rainfall.
A rise in water levels was observed in 16 districts during August this year compared to that of last year.
The rise in the water levels is in the range of 0.1 mbgl (Mahabubnagar district) to 3.77 mbgl (Nagarkurnool district due to releases of Kalwakurthy lift and filling of Mission Kakatiya tanks), said the department in a release.
The rise in water levels during August are 3.04 mbgl over that of May this year and 1.24 mbgl compared to water levels in July.