Good rain that hit Coimbatore during the summer showers season and extended to South West Monsoon period has resulted in increase in water table in the district.
During the season that extends from March to May, the district received 322 mm rainfall as against the long-term average of 136 mm. The rainfall the district received in May this year alone was almost thrice the average – it recorded 259 mm as against the average 67 mm.
The good news continued to the South West Monsoon season as well. In the monsoon period that starts in June and ends in September, the district received 54 mm rainfall in June as against the monthly average of 42.8 mm. The July average is 69 mm and the district has already received over 40 mm rainfall.
A weather advisory from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University's Agro Climate Research Centre says that rainfall will continue in Coimbatore till July 22. This, the ground and surface water division of the Public Works Department data says, has resulted in increase in water table.
The water level in the district has been steadily increasing from April. In April the water availability in the district was at an average depth of 16.52 m. The recent rains and water storage in tanks in the last two months have resulted in the level increasing to 15.96 m in June this year.
Compared to the same period last year, this is a significant increase because due to drought in 2017 the level plummeted to 17.63m in June 2017.
Officials in the Public Works Department say that the increase in water level in 2018 compared to 2017 holds good for almost all the taluks in the district. The water level mostly probably will further increase and will reflect in the August and September readings as more rains and percolation will have an impact.
The true picture will emerge in two months, says Vanitha Mohan, Trustee, Siruthuli, a non-government organisation.
The organisation's apex committee member K. Mylswami says there is already perceptible difference in rural areas where flow in River Noyyal and inflow in tanks has led to increase in water level.
But Coimbatore can do more, adds Ms. Mohan. If more rainwater harvesting structures are built, more water that is now running off on to roads can be easily harvested. This is more than necessary because more open spaces are coming under slabs or concrete, resulting in lesser area for percolation.
