Mangaluru: Groundwater levels in Dakshina Kannada have fallen to their lowest levels in a decade, with delayed and below-normal monsoon rainfall emerging as the primary reason for the decline.Senior geologist Sheikh Davood said that despite the fall, the district remains in the safe category for groundwater availability. He attributed the situation mainly to inadequate rainfall and also pointed to rising water consumption amid rapid urbanisation.An analysis of groundwater data over the past 10 years showed that levels had not fallen to this extent during the period. However, he said the district was not facing a serious groundwater crisis at present and that it remained in the safe category compared with other districts.The district’s average depth to static groundwater increased from 6.4 m below ground level (mbgl) in June 2025 to 10.7 mbgl in June 2026, indicating that the water table was 4.3 m deeper than a year earlier. The difference narrowed to 2 m in July and around 0.5 m in Aug. “Rainfall is the major triggering factor. The monsoon was delayed, and the district did not receive rainfall in the required quantity. The El Nino effect is also a factor,” said Davood.Dakshina Kannada normally receives around 4,000 mm of rainfall. If rainfall reaches the normal level, groundwater availability is unlikely to pose a serious problem, he said.Davood said rising population and urbanisation were adding to the pressure on groundwater. The construction of large residential buildings and the concentration of people in urban areas have increased water consumption, leading to greater extraction, he said.The district’s soil characteristics also affect water retention. Rainwater percolates through the soil but does not remain stored for long in some areas, eventually flowing towards the sea, he said. This makes groundwater recharge and judicious use of water particularly important in the coastal region. Groundwater availability had been gradually declining in annual assessments.He stressed the importance of public awareness and conservation. “Households, apartment complexes, industries and commercial establishments should adopt water-saving devices, including efficient taps and showers, which could reduce water consumption by 50% to 70% and farmers should also adopt measures such as drip irrigation to minimise wastage,” he said.Davood said both state and Union govts are working on water budgeting initiatives and it is at a planning stage. “We can see such initiatives in the future. At the panchayat level water budgeting could help assess the water available and plan its use across different sectors,” he added.
