Visakhapatnam’s groundwater falls 3.86 metres in a year; six villages past 20 metres deep
Visakhapatnam district has experienced a significant drop in its water table due to a severe rainfall deficit and excessive groundwater extraction. Experts warn that the depletion is impacting agriculture and local water security.
Why it matters
Rapid groundwater depletion poses a critical threat to regional food security and sustainable urban development in India.
Visakhapatnam district’s water table has fallen 3.86 metres in a year, from 7.65 metres below ground in August 2025 to 11.51 metres in August 2026 , the District Ground Water and Water Audit Department has recorded.
District Ground Water Officer K. Pushpalatha said the fall was directly linked to an acute rainfall deficit. She presented the findings at a training programme on ‘Integrated and Interdisciplinary Strategies for Sustainable Ground Water Development and Management’, jointly organised by the Central Ground Water Board and the GITAM School of Science on Tuesday (September 8, 2026).
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