Farmers hit as groundwater dips, erratic power adds to Vanakalam woes in Telangana

Farmers in Telangana are grappling with severe water scarcity as groundwater levels continue to decline amid deficient rainfall this Kharif season. With borewells drying up and erratic power supply disrupting irrigation, agricultural prospects remain bleak.

Hyderabad: Farmers already under severe stress due to inadequate rainfall and water scarcity are facing another setback this Vanakalam (Kharif) season as groundwater levels continue to fall below normal. The situation has worsened with borewells going dry, while erratic power supply has added to farmers’ concerns.

The average groundwater level in the State during June 2026 stood at 9.46 metres below ground level (mbgl). It ranged from 5.46 mbgl in Khammam to 13.30 mbgl in Medak and Vikarabad. Of the 33 districts, 20 recorded average groundwater levels between 5 and 10 mbgl, while the remaining 13 districts recorded levels between 10 and 15 mbgl.

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Based on rainfall received up to July 14 and assuming an overall rainfall deficit of 30 percent, the State’s average groundwater level is projected to decline to 10.35 mbgl in July 2026 and further to 11.01 mbgl in August 2026. Compared to May 2026, the average groundwater level is expected to fall by 1.09 metres in July and by 1.74 metres in August.

The deepest groundwater levels during August 2026 are expected in Vikarabad (15.60 mbgl), Medak (15.20 mbgl), Sangareddy (15.09 mbgl), Nizamabad (14.60 mbgl), Siddipet (14.28 mbgl), Kamareddy (13.86 mbgl), Jayashankar Bhupalpally (13.80 mbgl), Rajanna Sircilla (13.44 mbgl), Hyderabad (13.23 mbgl), and Mahabubnagar (13.17 mbgl).

With deficient rainfall and falling groundwater levels, farmers hoping to cultivate crops using borewells are unlikely to find much relief as many borewells have already dried up.

Telangana Turmeric Farmers Association president Narasimha Naidu said nearly 50 percent of borewells had already gone dry. “In such a situation, farmers are left to depend on rainfall unless the State government supplies water through canals,” he said. “The situation is very grim. If there is no sufficient rainfall next month, agricultural production will be badly affected,” he added.

Apart from water scarcity and deficient rainfall, poor power supply has emerged as another major concern for farmers. At Reddygudem in Suryapet district, farmers staged a protest at a power substation on Thursday against frequent power disruptions. They said the interruptions were affecting borewell operations and water supply to agricultural fields. The farmers demanded that the government ensure quality and uninterrupted power supply during the cropping season.