Groundwater level falls 3.86 m in Visakhapatnam

Groundwater levels in Visakhapatnam district have fallen by 3.86 metres in a year amid a 47.89% rainfall deficit, according to the District Ground Water and Water Audit Department.

Speaking at a training programme on sustainable groundwater management organised by the Central Ground Water Board and GITAM School of Science on Tuesday, CGWB scientist P. Kiran Kumar said the rainfall deficit had reduced groundwater recharge in parts of the district. Experts also highlighted the risk of seawater intrusion into coastal aquifers and the need to use remote sensing, geophysical studies and greywater reuse for sustainable groundwater management.

District Ground Water Officer K. Pushpalatha said the average groundwater depth increased from 7.65 metres in August 2025 to 11.51 metres in August 2026. The district received only 92.39 mm of rainfall, compared with the normal 177.3 mm, as of August 26.

She attributed the decline to poor rainfall, excessive borewell extraction for irrigation, domestic and industrial use, reduced natural recharge due to urbanisation, inadequate water-harvesting structures and heavy runoff during intense spells of rain.

Monitoring data from 31 piezometers and eight observation wells showed groundwater depths exceeding 20 metres in six villages. Another 38 villages recorded depths of 3-6 metres, while 135 habitations, including 96 rural villages and 39 urban wards, had depths of 6-20 metres.