Some industrial areas in the city are likely to face groundwater scarcity in the coming summer, an analysis done by a former Director of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) suggests. However, the biggest respite is that the city is unlikely face such situation, the analysis has said.

CM’s dashboard

P. Rama Rao, who made an analysis of the data hosted on the websites of IMD and the Chief Minister’s dashboard, says that despite a good southwest monsoon between June and September last year, the groundwater levels were hit owing to the failure of the northeast monsoon between October and December.

The analysis suggests that Visakhapatnam recorded a good rain under the influence of southwest monsoon, with the city registering an excess precipitation of 42 % and the airport 21 %.

However, with the northeast monsoon playing truant, the city recorded a deficit rainfall of 76% at the airport and significant rainfall deficit of 55% in the core city. Further, Cyclone Titli which crossed the Palasa coast in Srikakulam district in October did not bring even light rainfall to Visakhapatnam.

“Dry weather prevailed in Visakhapatnam during the northeast monsoon season, except for December 17 and 18, when Cyclone Phethai resulted in a heavy rainfall of 11 cm in the city and 6 cm at the airport. Visakhapatnam city recorded a rainfall of 116 cm, with a departure of 17 % last year,” Mr. Rao explains.

Rainfall is the principal source of input for groundwater recharge. Good rainfall for two to three days causes a rise in the groundwater levels.

“In the industrial belt of Atchutapuram and Parawada, monsoon rains did not influence the groundwater levels. Rather, there was a continuous depletion by seven to 15 feet between June 2018 and mid-January, 2019. Water is available at an average depth of 72 feet at Parawada while it is 84 feet at Atchutapuram,” Mr. Rao says.

In the core city areas such as Sivaji Palem and Central Park area (near RTC complex), there has been a rise of groundwater level by 3 to 6 ft between June and December last year followed by an average fall of 3 ft by mid-January.

Overexploitation

“Overexploitation of groundwater may result in further depletion in the groundwater levels in the industrial areas. The only solution is to bring the Godavari River water to the city,” Mr. Rao suggests.