THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amidst the sweltering heat in Kerala, the sudden downpour has been simply a solace. But, concerns also loom about the drought period predicted by the IMD. If the rains decide to move away from the state, it is feared that the state's groundwater level will sink far deep from the earth's crust.

Due to irregular monsoons and hot summers, the groundwater is going down. If such is the pattern, it will be doomsday in the state with wells drying up and drinking water becoming scarce turning into a possibility that we should acclimatize to. The groundwater department has received reports that the groundwater level is already falling in some areas of Kasaragod, Palakkad, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kollam districts.

Usable groundwater is now limited after estimating the quantity of rainwater seeping through the soil to the depths of the earth. According to the report of the Ground Water Estimation Committee under the Union Ministry of Water Power, 97.68 percent of the groundwater in Kasaragod block has been used. When it comes to Chittoor in Palakkad district, 95 percent of groundwater has been used up.

Balussery block in Kozhikode district has also used more than 80 percent of groundwater. Usage of 80% or more is considered critical. In 2005, Kasaragod, Kozhikode, Chittoor (Palakkad), Kodungallur (Thrissur), and Athiyanoor (Thiruvananthapuram) blocks were identified as 'overexploited' areas. However, some among the list were later included back in the safe zone list.

In areas identified as over-exploited areas, drilling of tube wells was strictly restricted. But as soon as these areas get back again in the safe zone, all such restrictions will be lifted, making things worse.