Groundwater depletion on rise in Kerala

Kasaragod: The scorching summer has resulted in water scarcity across the state. Traditional water sources have started drying up. Kerala is headed towards a drought situation. As per the CGWB (Central Ground Water Board), 54.55 pc groundwater has already been used up in the state.

In a district-wise breakdown of the data, maximum groundwater depletion was recorded in Kasaragod district. 72.75 pc of the groundwater has been used up in Kasaragod. Meanwhile, only 27.67 pc of groundwater was utilised in Wayanad district, the least among all districts. The water depletion levels stood at 71.55 pc in Malappuram, 67.73 pc in Thiruvananthapuram, 61.7 pc in Kozhikode, 60.94 pc in Thrissur and 59.75 pc in Palakkad.       

5,52,727.78 hectare metre (ham) of  groundwater is accumulated in the state every year through rain and other means. According to a study, 2,73,046.75 ham water is used for various purposes including domestic and industrial uses, while 2,01,680.07 ham groundwater gets saved for future use in the state.

4,09,062.4 ham water seeps down the ground in the form of monsoon rain. Other sources contribute 13,908.45 ham as well. The groundwater is recharged by 44,430.15 ham through rain and by 85,326.78 ham by other means during other seasons.