The scarcity of water is on rise across the country as the total storage in 91 main reservoirs has gone below the last 10-year average. Except north and central regions of the country, the storage levels are sinking everywhere.
With Scanty rainfall, the Telangana State has dubiously ‘consolidated’ its position among the water-stressed states in the country.
In view of the depleted levels, the State govt is mulling over to put a ban on digging borewells for domestic or commercial purpose, stating drawing up of ground water from the static ground water reserves as a main reason for the shortage of water.
“It is a well-known fact that householders who are digging borewells are drawing from static water reserves as they go down to 300 metres below the ground. This is the reason behind the current water crisis which will only exacerbate if the situation continues,” said joint director of the State Ground Department G Sambaiah.
Water reserves upto 120 metres is considered as ‘Dynamic water reserve’ that can be easily replenished. However, water below 120 metres is called ‘Static water reserve’ which is highly difficult to replenish.
With deficit rain across the state and indiscriminate borewell digging and no concrete efforts to recharge the ground water, the dynamics of ground water usage in the state have changed. It has gone up from 55 per cent in united AP to 58 per cent in the current year.
However, authorities are pinning hopes to have a sufficient rainfall till the end of September.