The State government has banned digging of borewells in 45 mandals across Telangana, which were identified as high-stress mandals.
Surprisingly, of them 12 are in Medak district alone. This is followed by 11 mandals in Mahabubnagar district, 10 in Nizamabad, seven in Ranga Reddy, two in Karimnagar, one each in Warangal, Khammam and Nalgonda districts. Lack of rains in June and July and depleting groundwater levels forced the government to take this decision.
The mandals where water levels fell down alarmingly include Daulatabad (in August groundwater table level was 27.22 metres and in September 37.76 metres below the ground) and Tekmal (31.69 metres and 33.09) . However, in another 10 mandals such as Jagadevpur (27.8 – 24.34), Jinnaram (30.58 – 22.33), Gajwel (20.82- 20.13), Kulcharam (38.39 -35.44), Medak (20.86- 16.89), Mulugu (34.9- 28.48), Narsapur (26.6 – 22.79), Ramachandrapuram (32.5- 29.84) and Sangareddy (21- 20.85) there has been some rise in groundwater levels. The rise in groundwater table in these 10 mandals was attributed to the impact of recent cyclone.
The officials have reportedly warned the rig operators not to dig borewells without permission from the Groundwater Department. However, digging borewells for drinking water purpose was allowed by the government. The rainfall recorded during the current season in the district was 424 mm as against the normal rainfall of 767 mm. Except three mandals – Gajwel, Wargal and Ramayampet- all the 43 mandals have recorded less rainfall. “The ban is temporary and the government may revoke it if the situation improves due to cyclonic rains that may take place in the next few months,” K. Venkateswara Rao, Deputy Director, Ground Water Department, told The Hindu .
State government gives an exception only for the purpose of drinking water
