Groundwater levels plunge in West Hyderabad, triggering water tanker crisis

Groundwater levels in western Hyderabad have dropped sharply, leading to a surge in water tanker demand. Areas like Gachibowli and Madhapur are most affected. Authorities link the crisis to rapid construction and are promoting rainwater harvesting solutions.

Hyderabad: This summer, the western parts of Hyderabad have seen groundwater levels plummet drastically, triggering a surge in demand for water tankers. The situation has affected several localities in these parts of the city, with residents and establishments increasingly relying on private tanker supplies as borewells yield less water.

Gachibowli, Madhapur, Shamshabad, Mokila, Serilingapally, Rajendranagar, Maheshwaram, Shankarpally and other areas in the western part of Greater Hyderabad have experienced severe groundwater depletion, according to a report by the Ground Water Department, Ranga Reddy district.

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The report said the trend of groundwater depletion in these areas began in January this year and was reflected in a surge in tanker demand. Tanker bookings started in February and increased sharply.

The range of groundwater depletion was observed at 1.99 metres below ground level (BGL) in January, with depletion gradually reaching 2.97 metres BGL by April across the areas covered.

Ground Water Department officials said builders in the western part of Hyderabad were constructing skyscrapers up to 40 and more, leading to a sharp depletion of groundwater and increased dependence on tankers.

Officials of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) pointed out that compared with other parts of city, the western part of Hyderabad was at the top in tanker demand. Areas including Manikonda, Gachibowli, Madhapur, Hafeezpet, Durgamcheruvu, Kukatpally and Nizampet were among those with the highest tanker bookings.

“Groundwater depletion has been identified as the main reason for increasing tanker demand in certain areas,” a senior HMWSSB official told ‘Telangana Today’. The Hyderabad Water Board has been collecting data on areas receiving the highest number of tanker bookings and said it was insisting that consumers build rainwater harvesting pits to reduce tanker dependency.