Groundwater levels in and around Hyderabad have dropped by one meter in a month

Ground water levels in and around Hyderabad continue to decline. Image is for representational purposes only. | Photo credit: NAGARA GOPAL

Ground water levels in three municipal corporations of Telangana, in and around Hyderabad, have dropped by 1.01 meters below ground level (m bgl) in one month. It fell from 11.58 m bgl in September this year to 12.59 m bgl in October, indicating that wells need to sink deeper to extract groundwater.

Deepest and shallowest

The deepest of 22.88 m bgl was recorded at Kukatpally and the shallowest of 2.35 m bgl at Shaikpet, according to the Telangana Ground Water Department’s October report, collected through 107 piezometers, at levels in areas under Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMM) and Malka Municipal Corporation (CMM)

Mandal Water table in September 2026 Water table in October 2026 Rainfall deficit (June 1-October 31)Kukatpally20.67 m bgl22.88 m bgl22%Shankarpalli19.25 m bgl21.81 m bgl23017%Media0817m m bgl48%Hayatnagar19.46 m bgl19.32 m bgl37%Malkajgiri17.11 m bgl17.89 m bgl40%Ameerpet16.79 m bgl17.15 m bgl30%Quthbullapur bgl17.m bgl40%Saroornagar14.66 m bgl16.93 m bgl38%Patancheruvu15.11 m bgl16.54 m bgl33%Uppal14.85 m bgl15.52 m bgl49%

Deeper water levels cover almost 12% of the area

A deeper water table of over 20 m bgl covered nearly 12% of the corporations and covered parts of Ameerpet mandal in Hyderabad district; Kukatpally, Bachupally, Quthbullapur, Dundigal and Medipally mandals in Medchal Malkajgiri; and Saroornagar, Hayatnagar, Rajendranagar, Shankarpalli and Serilingampally in Rangareddy districts.

Areas with the deepest groundwater levels

The deepest groundwater levels of 22.88 m bgl at Kukatpally followed by 21.81 m bgl at Shankarpalli, 20.31 m bgl at Medipally, 19.32 m bgl at Hayatnagar, 17.89 m bgl at Malkajgiri, 17.89 m bgl at Malkajgiri. in Quthbullapur, 16.93 m bgl in Saroornagar, 16.54 m bgl in Patancheruv and 15.52 m bgl in Uppal.

Red spots indicate groundwater is more than 20 meters below ground level in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Cyberabad Municipal Corporation and Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation as recorded in October 2026. | Photo credit: BY ARRANGEMENT

21% to 51% rainfall deficit in 40 mandals

Water levels fell as areas experienced a 34% deficit in rainfall between 1 June and 31 October. 484 mm of rain fell against the normal of 729 mm. Of the 46 mandals within the city limits, six mandals received normal rainfall and the remaining 40 recorded rainfall deficit ranging from 21% to 51%.

What is being done to save water?

People are concerned about falling groundwater levels and potential water shortages in the coming months due to the influence of El Nino weather phenomena.

The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has taken action against illegal groundwater extraction by removing wells near water bodies including Sunnam Cheruvu, Fox Sagar Lake and other places. Following this, people filed complaints on Monday (November 2, 2026) under the agency’s Prajavani (Public Grievance Programme) against illegal borewells drawing water from 600 to 1,000 meters near water bodies, depleting the natural resources available in nearby colonies. After a protest and a meeting with HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath, the Hyderabad Water Tankers Association has agreed to draw water from boreholes – after seeking permission from the authorities – for their tankers from the Peri Urban Area (PURE) outside the Outer Ring Road, according to official information.

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) has also cracked down on those who illegally attach motors to drinking water supply pipes to draw water directly from the water mains.

He urges people to also conserve drinking water. HMWSSB warned of penalties for using potable water to wash vehicles, floors or other forms of waste. It has launched the PAANI app so that people can register as water warriors and report cases of water wastage. The council promotes people’s best practices for saving water. He recently praised a water warrior who collected the water released after cleaning in the RO in buckets to clean the dishes and mop the floors in the house.

Published – 06 Nov 2026 15:50 IST