Groundwater in Kerala depleting amid soaring temperatures

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Since the turn of 'Kumbham' (Malayalam month), the underground water has been depleting to the point where drinking water is not available. If this situation continues, Kerala will be in the grip of drought by April. In 2022, the water table was 13 feet. Now it's under ten.

In 152 blocks across the state, the Central Ground Water Board and the State Ground Water Department conducted a joint inspection of the water table, and there are three blocks in the critical category. They are Kasaragod, Chittoor and Malampuzha. There are 30 blocks in the partial critical section. Eight of them are in Malappuram. Malappuram, Kondotty, Kuttipuram, Tirurangadi, Tirur, Vengara, Tanur and Mangada are in partial critical category. Areekode, Kalikavu, Nilambur, Perinthalmanna, Perumbadappu, Ponnani and Vandoor blocks in Malappuram are in safe category. In the capital district, the ground water level has greatly decreased in all the six taluks.

Safe districts
Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Wayanad

Partial critical blocks
Malappuram - 8
Thiruvananthapuram - 6
Thrissur - 3
Kozhikode - 3
Kannur - 3
Kollam - 2
Idukki - 2
Palakkad - 2

Solution is groundwater recharging

According to experts, the only way is to survey the water sources and ponds and take steps to recharge the groundwater. Also, the public should be educated to prevent over-exploitation of ground water.

Water level in dams

(in meters).

Peppara - 105.40
Banasurasagar- 765.85
Peringalkuthu - 417.05
Kallada - 109.82
Pampa - 971.70
Peechi: 72.44