Groundwater stress rises in parts of Andhra Pradesh

Overexploitation of groundwater in parts of Andhra Pradesh has raised concerns over an emerging imbalance in the water table, with several mandals reporting extraction levels that exceed natural recharge.

At least 12 of the State’s 679 groundwater assessment mandals, accounting for 1.8%, have been categorised as ‘over-exploited’, indicating that groundwater withdrawal in these areas has surpassed sustainable recharge limits.

The findings are based on the Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India, 2025 report, published in October by the Central Ground Water Board under the Department of Water Resources.

The report also classifies three mandals (0.4%) as ‘critical’, reflecting severe stress on groundwater reserves, while 24 mandals (3.5%) fall under the ‘semi-critical’ category, signalling the need for close monitoring and preventive action.

In addition to quantity concerns, groundwater quality has emerged as a significant issue. A total of 39 mandals (5.74%) have been identified as ‘saline’, indicating rising salinity levels that could affect both drinking water supply and agricultural productivity.

Despite these challenges, the overall groundwater situation in Andhra Pradesh remains largely stable. As many as 601 mandals (88.5%) are categorised as ‘safe’, suggesting that groundwater extraction in these regions is within sustainable limits.

The report estimates the State’s total annual groundwater recharge at 26.34 billion cubic metres (bcm), with an extractable resource of 25.02 bcm. The current annual extraction for all uses stands at 7.88 bcm, translating to a groundwater extraction stage of 31.51%. However, compared to the 2024 assessment, recharge has declined marginally, leading to an increase in extraction levels from 29.83% to 31.51%.

Over-exploited mandals have been identified across multiple districts. In Palnadu district, Bollapalle, Durgi, and Veldurthi mandals are affected, while Racherla, Pullalacheruvu, and Pedaaraveedu in Prakasam district also fall under this category. Similar conditions prevail in Tanakal, Hindupur, Rolla, and Gandlapenta in Sri Satya Sai district, and Laveru and Ranastalam in Srikakulam district.

Salinity in groundwater has been reported in 13 mandals in West Godavari, nine in Krishna, seven in Konaseema, five in Eluru, two each in Guntur and Kakinada, and one in Bapatla district.

A comparative analysis between 2025 and 2024 indicates a deterioration in groundwater extraction levels in several mandals, including Laveru in Srikakulam district; Atchampeta, Bollapalle, and Durgi in Palnadu district; Nindra in Chittoor district; Rajanagaram and Rajahmundry Urban in East Godavari district; and Visakhapatnam Rural in Visakhapatnam district.

The report also found that the majority of groundwater is used for irrigation and domestic purposes, with only a small quantity being extracted for industrial use in the State.

The report attributes the overexploitation primarily to the low storage and transmission capacities of aquifers in hard rock terrains, which limit groundwater availability. Experts stress the need for policy interventions aimed at enhancing surface water storage, promoting groundwater recharge activities, and adopting sustainable water management practices.

Union Jal Shakti Minister C. P. Patil, while replying to a question in the Lok Sabha on March 19 on this issue, maintained that, “Efforts of the Government for augmenting the groundwater resources of the country are mainly channelled through the flagship campaign of Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA), an annual mission mode programme for taking up water harvesting and artificial recharge activities, apart from other flagship programmes”.