Groundwater levels drop by 2.9 metres in three regions of AP

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Hyderabad, July 21 (PTI) Groundwater levels have depleted considerably in three regions of Andhra Pradesh with the latest figure indicating a drop by 2.9 metres as against 2.5 metres recorded on an average between May 2008-10. According to Ground Water department officials, the three regions -- Telangana, Rayalseema and coastal areas -- have seen a continuous decline in groundwater levels with deficient rainfall and large-scale exploitation of groundwater for farming cited as the main cause for the depletion. Between November 2009 and June this year (pre-monsoon), the average fall of water-levels stood at 2.9 mtrs with the same going down by 3.84 mtrs in Telangana region; Rayalseema recording a fall of 3.58 mtrs while the Coastal region had a drop of 1.42 metres, a senior department official told PTI. Besides, an analysis of average depth of water-levels in the state from the year 2000 to 2010 (pre-monsoon period) also indicated that there is a fall of 2.18 mtrs from 2000 to 2005, followed by a rise of 4.89 mtrs upto 2008. But, the present trend in average depth indicated a fall of 2.5 mtrs in the state from May 2008-May 2010. As many 3,449 villages of 26,000 in the state have been notified as over-exploited under the Andhra Pradesh Water, Land and Trees Act (WALTA), while out of 1,229 groundwater micro-watersheds 132 are classified as over-exploited, 89 as critical and 175 as semi-critical, the official said. The state has witnessed an uneven rainfall pattern with deficient rainfall of 25 per cent during June 2009-May 2010. "There is decrease in recharge to groundwater mainly due to less rainfall which has resulted in more dependence on groundwater and that is how depreciation in groundwater levels is happening," he explained. However, some areas have received good rainfall and a rise in water table is observed, though it is premature to say whether the decline in last year can be made up this year. The entire Rayalseema region has witnessed long-term depletion of groundwater since 1990 and about eight lakh dug-wells have almost dried up, though they work only seasonally, another official said. All districts in Rayalseema and some in Telangana besides Prakasam district and up-line areas in coastal Andhra Pradesh have been identified as depletion-prone areas. Groundwater usage is increasing with irrigation sector accounting for 85 per cent of its extraction while industries and drinking water adding for the remaining 15 per cent in the state, the official said. "District water management agencies have taken up water conservation through watershed basis and construction of check dams, farm ponds have helped to stabilise further fall in groundwater table in the past decade by over 50 per cent," he added.

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