Prioritizing groundwater recharge zones through morphometric and geospatial analysis: A case study of the Musi River basin,Telangana, India

Groundwater availability in the Archaean granitic basement, Proterozoic sedimentary rocks, and Deccan Traps of Telangana is strongly influenced by lithology, weathered-zone thickness, flow morphology, and structural features. Rapid population growth and urban expansion have intensified water demand, leading to acute groundwater depletion, particularly in the Musi River basin. The present study aims to delineate potential zones for groundwater recharge by: (i) computing linear, areal, and relief morphometric parameters for eight sub-basins; (ii) prioritizing sub-basins using Weighted Sum Analysis (WSA) informed by statistical correlations and validated against Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) results; and (iii) identifying dominant morphometric parameters using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Eleven key morphometric parameters were considered and weighted according to hydrological significance. One-way ANOVA confirmed significant differences in groundwater recharge potential across priority classes (F = 12.36, p = 0.015). Results indicate that MSB-7 exhibits the highest recharge potential (suitability index = 2.79), while MSB-1 is the least suitable (index = 6.45). Based on index values, sub-basins were classified into four priority categories, with approximately 47 % of the basin falling under ‘very good’–‘good’ zones. PCA revealed that drainage density, drainage texture, and stream frequency (PC1; 33.29 % variance) and relief-related parameters (PC2; 32.69 % variance) are the most influential controls on recharge. These findings provide actionable guidance for targeted watershed interventions including check dams, percolation tanks, and rainwater harvesting to enhance groundwater sustainability in the Musi River basin.