This year, floods have brought widespread destruction in several states in India, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, and Punjab.
While these regions are grappling with excess water, Bihar is facing a completely different problem this year.
The state is facing the declining rate of groundwater level.
And that is happening due to a deficit in rainfall.
This year, the state has experienced 34 percent less rainfall in compare to the normal level.
The scarcity of rain affects the water levels in rivers and reservoirs in the state.
Several Districts are experiencing Declining Groundwater Levels
Due to less rainfall this year, several districts in Bihar are experiencing declining groundwater levels.
In Aurangabad district, the groundwater level is dropping to an alarming 35 feet. Typically, people found water in this region at a depth of 70-80 feet but now it is available at more than 110 feet.
Sheohar and Sitamarhi are also experiencing a sharp decrease in water level that results in drying up the chapakals.
In Bhojpur district, the water level is fluctuating. In March-April, the water level was recorded at 17 feet, which increased to 19 feet in May-June and 21.2 feet in July.
This year, Gopalganj received 70 percent less rainfall than average, but that merely affects the groundwater level. In the month of April and May, the average groundwater level in the district was 11.5 feet below which is now 11.7 feet. However, the groundwater level in few other panchayats of districts are below 14.10 feet and 15.7 feet.
The Vaishali district has shown some improvement with 3 inch increased groundwater level.
Sasaram, Rohtas, Jehanabad are also facing declining groudwater level.
Buxar experienced a rise in groundwater level by 1.46 feet.
| District | Water Level (in Feet) |
|---|---|
| Aurangabad | 35 |
| Sheohar | Declining |
| Sitamarhi | Declining |
| Bhojpur | 17 (March-April) |
| 19 (May-June) | |
| 21.2 (July) | |
| Buxar | Increasing (1.46) |
The groundwater crisis in different districts of Bihar is an urgent matter and demands an urgent attention.
The declining groundwater level in Bihar impacts the livelihoods of farmers.
Hence, it is the right time for the state government to think about sustainable water management practices like rainwater harvesting, bringing certain policies for Groundwater and so on.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments down below.
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