Groundwater Depletion Worries Andhra Pradesh; 8,503 Villages Hit

Groundwater is water that is stored deep underground in the soil and rocks.

People in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh dig deep wells, called borewells, to pull this water up for drinking and for watering their crops.

Lately, there has not been enough rain in this part of India.

Because of a weather pattern called El Nino, the rains have been weaker than normal.

So the groundwater is running out.

Officials say the water level has dropped a lot in more than 8,500 villages.

One farmer dug 30 borewells, each very deep, but still found no water.

Many people do not have enough clean water to drink, and some women protested to ask for water.

Experts say people should save rainwater and fix old ponds and tanks to help refill the groundwater.