The Hindu 05.05.2010
Steep fall in levels of groundwater
Staff Reporter
| Steps afoot to tide over crisis |
Deficit rainfall adds to the alarming situation
The fall is negligible in delta areas
Kakinada: Consequent upon a steep fall in groundwater level to 9.385 meters (district average) as at the end of March 2010 from 8.354 meters during the corresponding month last year, the Groundwater Department has recommended conjunctive use of ground and surface waters to tide over summer crisis.
Upland areas had the steepest decline in groundwater level from 14.16 meters in March 2009 to 16.35 meters this year. There was a negligible fall in delta areas from 3.33 meters to 3.79 meters and a slight rise in the agency from 7.96 to 7.88 meters.
The 39.17 per cent deficit rainfall between June 2009 and March 2010 has left little scope for natural refurbishment of the groundwater table till the onset of southwest monsoon. Normal rainfall during the above period was 1,104.17 mm whereas the actual figure was 671.69 mm.
Persistent problem
The drying up of dug wells has been a persistent problem faced by people and farmers across the district. The situation can be salvaged to some extent if the irrigation water resources are also tapped adequately while maintaining supplies to the agriculture sector, according to Groundwater Department Assistant Director Kavuluri Venkateswara Rao.
Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Venkateswara Rao has said orders to maintain a spacing of at least 250 meters between two wells, promote artificial recharge structures especially in deep water table areas, encourage drip and sprinkler irrigation in order to utilise minimum groundwater and pump limited quantities of groundwater in saline / partial saline areas to prevent salt water intrusion have been issued.
Sea water intrusion is prevalent in Amalapuram, Ambajipeta, I. Polavaram, Kajuluru, Kakinada, Karapa, Mummidivaram, P.Gannavaram, Razole, Tallarevu and U. Kotthapalli mandals.
Groundwater depletion can be considered to be minimal in upland areas, where water levels recuperate rapidly after pumping. The district has 11 groundwater basins -- Pamuleru, Seetapallivagu, Buradakalava, Pedderu, Maddigedda, Maderu, Suddagedda, Pampa, Donigedda, Yeleru and Thandava.
Periodic assessment
The Groundwater Estimation Committee of Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) makes a periodic assessment of the groundwater levels in all geographical areas -- upland, delta and agency of the district. Measures to mitigate groundwater depletion are being implemented in association with the irrigation and other departments concerned as per the guidelines of the CGWB.
