Vulnerability study of groundwater using interaction-based model in Musi River Basin, Telangana, India

This article aims to develop an interaction-based model for assessing hydrogeological risks by quantifying uncertainties in parameters such as precipitation, soil moisture, evapotranspiration, surface water runoff, and groundwater level. The model is applied to eight sub-basins of the Musi River in Telangana, India, to compare their hydrogeological vulnerabilities. The results indicate that the Musi basin receives substantial annual rainfall, with significant variability in precipitation levels across different sub-basins and years. A large proportion of the precipitation occurs during the monsoon season from June to September. Increased rainfall significantly raises water levels, demonstrating a direct correlation between rainfall and groundwater depth. This relationship is crucial for effective water management. Rainfall variability is considerable, leading to significant fluctuations in water levels, reflecting the basin's hydrological responsiveness. Entropy measures highlight the complexity and predictability of hydrological interactions. During the monsoon, M7-Osman Sagar sub-basin shows significant recharge, but the M4-Shamirpet sub-basin the least. Whereas the M6-Hussain Sagar exhibits a stable recharge pattern year-round. Evapotranspiration and depth to water level interactions vary across sub-basins, indicating differences in water availability and atmospheric conditions. The highest soil moisture interaction, particularly during the monsoon has observed at a few sub-basins. Surface runoff and depth to water level interactions also vary, with M3-Bikkeru having the highest interaction, suggesting high responsiveness to runoff. Groundwater vulnerability classifications based on two diverse hydrological attributes indicate varying levels of risk across the sub-basins. These findings underscore the importance of understanding basin-specific interactions for effective water resource management and planning, particularly in regions with varied hydrological responses to rainfall and groundwater resources. This nuanced approach aids in designing effective strategies for irrigation, water storage, and flood management tailored to each basin's unique characteristics.