There is a substantial fall in groundwater level in the flood-hit areas of Alappuzha district.
According to the Ground Water Department, the water level in open wells in Chengannur and other parts of the region have dropped by an average of 0.5 metre compared to the same period of the previous year, following floods.
“We have noticed a lowering trend in ground water table in east and south-east areas of the district. The water level recordings taken soon after floods show big variations in open wells in these areas.
The floods caused huge erosion of riverbeds. This has resulted in the deepening of riverbeds. Further, capacity of rivers to hold water have decreased due to the accumulation of mud on the riverbed. Since the rivers and groundwater table are connected, we assume that decline in water level in rivers have impacted ground water table,” Anuroop R.L., Junior Hydrogeologist, Ground Water Department told The Hindu .
Structural disturbances
Mr. Anuroop said that the flash floods had caused structural disturbances and subsidence of wells in some areas including Mavelikara and Pandanad.
“With the deepening of river beds and decline in water level in rivers and streams, we think that the water would have been discharged to rivers from wells in the region.
Now, we are on the process of understanding whether water level is recouping or not, post- floods. Only detailed studies will reveal the exact reason for the drop in ground water table,” he added.
The wells especially in Chengannur that had been cleaned following floods have lost the previous water level after the cleaning process.
Slight decline in water table was also noticed in coastal areas of the district.
The water level in all rivers, including the Achencoil, Pampa, Manimala and Meenachil, has fallen sharply with it flowing well below its earlier levels.
Important
The rainfall during the northeast monsoon period is going to be very important in mitigating drought, officials said.
