more-in Acute water problem seems impending in the ensuing summer, if the groundwater levels in some of the districts in Coastal Andhra are any indication. Scanty rainfall during the entire wet period, and growing water consumption are said to be reasons for their situation. Coastal AP received 908.5 mm rain during the wet period (South West and North East monsoon rainfall between June 1 and Dec 31, 2017), which was a 7 % less than normal rainfall for the Sub Division as a whole. Though this is considered normal, Prakasam district with (-) 23 and parts of Visakhapatnam, Guntur and West Godavari it was much below the normal. Visakhapatnam city, its suburbs, Prakasam and Guntur districts and the upland areas of West Godavari district and Adilabad district in Telangana are likely to face water problem, according to a study conducted by a former Director of the India Meteorological Department P.V. Rama Rao. Excess rainfall Surprisingly, Rayalaseema Sub Division, which is normally considered ‘drought prone area’, will not experience any water problem in the ensuing summer. It received excess rainfall in both the monsoon seasons, with 24 % departure above the normal. There was an average abnormal rise of groundwater levels by 10.89 m (36 feet) between June and Nov. 2017. Analysing the monsoon, Mr. Rama Rao says: “The cyclonic disturbances over the Bay practically failed to influence the north east monsoon’s rainfall distribution over both AP and Telangana States between October 26 and December 31. However, Nellore, Chittoor, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts received significant rainfall.” Due to the failure of the north east monsoon rains, practically dry weather prevailed over both the States from the last week of October. As a result of the large rainfall deficit and utilisation of water for agriculture and other purposes, the groundwater levels started falling from November. In Visakhapatnam, the industrial areas of Parawada and Atchutapuram and outlying areas of Anandapuram and Padmanabham witnessed a steep fall in groundwater levels ranging between 5.83 m and 12.72 m and the fall in the core city area ranged between 0.85 m and 4.21 m.. The efforts being made by the State government to pump Godavari water from Purushottapatnam Lift Irrigation scheme can can cater to water needs of the city.

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