The plummeting groundwater levels in the state are causing severe distress among farmers. To protect their green crops, farmers are digging new borewells and incurring significant financial burdens. According to the Groundwater Resources Department, water levels have fallen to critical levels in over 250 mandals. The state has a total of 3.2 million borewells for domestic, agricultural, and commercial needs. Due to the lack of water, farmers are digging to depths of 300 to 400 feet. With casing and motor pump costs, an additional Rs. 25,000 is spent, bringing the total cost for each borewell to approximately Rs. 1.5 lakh.