Hyderabad’s groundwater crisis deepens despite rains, levels dip sharply across city
Recent data reveals a rapid decline in groundwater levels across the city, with water now being found only at depths of nearly 22 metres in Marredpally and around 19 metres in localities like Tirumalagiri and Ameerpet.
Hyderabad: A growing city’s indiscriminate exploitation of groundwater resource has resulted in the water table continuing to drop drastically in most parts of Hyderabad.
Latest data shows the fast depletion of the groundwater levels in the city with one has to dig deep till to almost 22 metres to strike water at Marredpally and almost 19 metres in areas such as Tirumalgiri and Ameerpet.
Despite the summer rains that kept company with the city, most areas registered a further drop in the groundwater table with the level dropping by 2.65 metre at Marredpally in just one month between April and May.
Tirumalagiri in Secunderabad also observed groundwater depletion with the piezometer recorded 1.36 meters below the groundwater level. The latest groundwater table statement shows groundwater depletion between 0.05 meters and up to 2.65 meters below the ground level (BGL).
Similar depletion was also observed in other key areas of the city, including Khairatabad, Ameerpet, Asifnagar, Bandlaguda, Bahadurpura, Charminar, Saidabad, Amberpet, Musheerabad, and Secunderabad.
The data reveal that the cumulative rainfall between April 1, 2025, and April 26, 2025, was 1,099.6 mm against the normal rainfall of 828.4 mm, with a deviation of 33%. Agreeing with the huge depletion of the groundwater table in the city, a senior Ground Water Department, Hyderabad official told Telangana Today, “Though unseasonal rains occurred, there is no significant rise in groundwater. According to reports from across the city, the groundwater dipped more than 50% this year.”
The GWD also observed that even before the summer, residents in some areas started refurbishing existing bores due to the lack of groundwater. Feedback received from the officials indicates 2,000 to 3,000 meters below the ground level was also attempted for the groundwater.
In the given scenario, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) had witnessed tanker demand from February onwards reaching a peak in the summer season. “Because of groundwater depletion, the water board experienced huge tanker demand. On average, 1.5 to 2 lakh trips were delivered by tankers every month this summer season to meet the demand,” an HMWSSB official admitted.
Groundwater table depletion in key areas: (April & May 2025)
Name of the area April May Depletion (BGL in meters)
- Marredpally: 18.94 21.59 -2.65
- Tirumalagiri: 17.58 18.94 -1.36
- Ameerpet: 17.26 18.50 -1.24
- Khairatabad: 7.70 8.80 -1.10
- Asifnagar: 6.08 6.90 -0.82
- Bandlaguda: 15.30 15.36 -0.06
- Charminar: 8.92 9.34 -0.42
- Saidabad: 10.46 10.80 -0.34
- Musheerabad: 3.04 3.44 -0.40
- Shaikpet: 2.27 2.99 -0.72
(Source: Hyderabad Ground Water Department)
Aquifer Piezometer:A piezometer is an instrument used to measure groundwater level and the velocity of groundwater flow. The Hyderabad Ground Water Department installed these piezometers in vulnerable areas, including educational institutions, parks, and government offices, and measures the depth of the groundwater level on a monthly basis.These piezometers are used not only to determine the depth to the water table but also to track the changes in groundwater levels over time. Piezometers work with geotechnical sensors to measure accurate groundwater levels.
