Rise in groundwater table cheers Delta ryots

The northeast monsoon, which was bountiful last year, has brought cheers to farmers of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Perambalur, Tiruchy and Karur districts as the average ground water table went up significantly during December 2017.

According to the data collected by the Public Works department (PWD), ground water division from observation wells across the state, the November table had shown a steady increase in the water table in a few districts and so had the December table.

Thanjavur district recorded a total rainfall of around 1075 mm during 2017 compared to just 600 mm in 2016. “Though there has been a 21% shortfall during the northeast monsoon in Thanjavur district during 2017, the 51% increase in the precipitation during the southwest monsoon seems to have balanced it. Similarly, in Tiruvarur, Ariyalur, Nagapattinam, Karur and Perambalur, more rainfall was recorded during the second week of December,” points an official of the agriculture department.

In actual terms, the average ground water level during December 2017 was 1.82 metres more in Thanjavur district compared to December 2016. In Tiruvarur district, it was 1.41 metres more compared to last year.

Ironically, in Nagappattinam district, which received an excess of 20 per cent rainfall during the northeast monsoon, the water table had fallen by 0.59 metre compared to December 2016.

Of the 31 districts, Tiruvannamalai showed the highest increase in average water table level by 5.1 metres compared to previous year.

Meanwhile, Perambalur registered an increase of 2.09 metres, while Karur’s increase stood at 2.24 metres followed by Tiruchy at 1.06 metres this year. Officials said that Tiruchy district received less rain compared to other districts in the delta region.

Farmers claimed that those who have undertaken cultivation through borewells anticipate good water availability till the harvest.

At the same time, they also wanted uninterrupted supply of power for agricultural activities.