Tue Feb 03 16:10:44 UTC 2026: ### Central Godavari Delta Faces Land Subsidence Crisis, Prompting Investigation

The Story:
The Geological Survey of India (GSI-Hyderabad) has initiated a technical investigation into alleged land subsidence in the Central Godavari Delta, specifically within the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district. The investigation was prompted by reports of land subsidence linked to a defunct 350-kilometre-long irrigation drain system. Farmers have reported crop failures due to seawater inundation of farmlands, raising concerns about the long-term viability of agriculture in the region. The Water Resource Department has enlisted experts from GSI and the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH-Roorkee), with support from the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to assess topographic changes.

Key Points:

  • The GSI-Hyderabad is investigating land subsidence in the Central Godavari Delta.
  • The suspected cause is related to a defunct 350-kilometer irrigation drain system.
  • Farmers in Razole Assembly constituency have experienced crop failures due to seawater inundation.
  • Approximately 10,000 acres of paddy fields have been affected by the seawater.
  • ISRO is providing topographic data to aid in the assessment.
  • Onshore oil and natural gas exploration are suspected to be a possible cause of the subsidence.

Key Takeaways:

  • The land subsidence in the Central Godavari Delta poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity and the livelihoods of farmers.
  • The investigation aims to determine the specific causes of the subsidence, which are suspected to be related to both the irrigation drain system and potential onshore oil and gas exploration.
  • The involvement of multiple agencies, including GSI, NIH-Roorkee, and ISRO, highlights the complexity and urgency of the situation.
  • Previous investigations stopped in 2021.

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