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Tamil Nadu Water Crisis: After Bengaluru, the water crisis now has hit Tamil Nadu and Chennai among 26 districts has been worst affected as groundwater level has depleted in these areas. The groundwater levels in 26 districts have witnessed a significant drop as compared to April last year. However, 11 other districts have seen a slight improvement in the water level.
As per the updates from the Water Resources Department’s (WRD), some of the western districts have witnessed a massive decline in groundwater levels.
The data showed that the average depth at which groundwater is available in Dharmapuri plummeted from 5.78 metres last April to 8.98 metres this year.
In the similar manner, the water level in Namakkal dropped from 6.15 metres to 9.34 metres. Some of the other districts such as Salem, Krishnagiri and Tiruppur are witnessing a significant drop in the water level.
Among other districts, Coimbatore is the worst hit, with water level dropping from 9.4 metres to 10.85 metres compared to last year. It is worth mentioning that the Chennai region has witnessed a 0.5 metre dip in groundwater level.
Other affected districts that witnessed a significant decline in groundwater level include Perambalur, Tiruchy, and Tirupattur (see table).
However, some of the other areas are witnessing water level going up – such distrocts include Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, and Virudhunagar.
Expressing concern over the water crisis, K Balasubramani, general secretary, Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Munnetra Kazhagam, said the impact of water crisis has affected the farmers in the western regions where groundnut, coconut and other cash crops are generally cultivated all through the year.
Balasubramani added that due to water scarcity this year, farmers have refrained from sowing crops and the situation is quite grim in Mettur Dam which has dried up entirely.
In the meantime, the farmers’ association expressed concern over the water crisis and said the state budget for water management is insufficient.
KV Elankeeran, chief of the Federation of Cauvery Delta Farmers Association, told Indian Express that it is essential to raise awareness about rainwater harvesting among farmers and the public to replenish the state’s groundwater levels.
In an effort to address the water crisis, the Tamil Nadu planning commission and WRD are collaborating with experts and farmers to implement updated water policies introduced in 1994 and 2012.
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