Hyderabad: Groundwater levels rise slightly in city

Hyderabad: Thanks to good rainfall last monsoon, the average groundwater level rose in some areas in the city. Last year the city has received a surplus amount of rainfall, it brought a slight improvement in the groundwater level and as it raised by 3.84mbgl when compared to pre-monsoon level.

According to the report released by the Telangana groundwater department, it was 10.88 meters below ground level (mbgl) in May, and 7.04 mbgl in November. The city received 831 mm of rain, nearly 16 % higher than the normal rate that is 750-800 mm.

The prime areas which are always affected have seen a slight improvement in groundwater level include densely crowded areas like Marredpally, Asif Nagar, Trimulgherry, Musheerabad, Charminar, Shaikpet, and Ameerpet.

In Marredpally, the water table has risen by 12.34meters below the ground (MBGL) compared to per monsoon. In Trimulgherry water levels increase by 6.5 mbgl, Ameerpet the water table has increase by 3.09 mbgl and in Asifnagar is 2.73 mbgl and in Secunderabad 2.78 mbgl

Dr Pandith Madhnure, the director of groundwater department, said, "The rise in groundwater levels was noticed as the city received a surplus amount of rainfall in October. Recharge of groundwater depends on rainfall intensity.

However, when compared to last year, there is a slight change in the groundwater levels and in 2018, it was 9.77 mbgl." Telangana State Ground Water Department (TSGWD) are jointly working with CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI) on project called a National Hydrology Project, that started on January 2019 to improve the water level.

Also in some areas groundwater is affected due to pollution The affected areas are Patancheru, LB Nagar, IDA Jeedimetla, Bholakpur. On the pollution aspect, we are planning to work on a project called groundwater contamination in the Hyderabad city and this project is sponsored by National Hydrological Project (NHP) and it would conclude by 2021.