Hi Amartya Saha , Thanks for the response. Please note that the heavy monsoon have revived streamflow in the past drought [10 years before], but it did not happen in the few years [last 5 years] and we see decline in the flow of the stream from hills and reached to NIL this year. We do suspect the deviation in the stream flow direction as a cause - We are yet to verify due to heavy rain at those locations and we are not sure who is the right authority to get this details. I did mentioned no destruction in the mountain ranges - But as mentioned in the earlier queries - lot of pumping in the plateau and the plains. Please note that we have one of the groundwater depletion rate in our district. Thanks Murthi
Published by Thanikachalamurthi Aruchamy, Organic Farmer | Water Conservationist | Volunteer on Water body cleanup and Restoration
Hi Amartya Saha ,
Thanks for the response.
Please note that the heavy monsoon have revived streamflow in the past drought [10 years before], but it did not happen in the few years [last 5 years] and we see decline in the flow of the stream from hills and reached to NIL this year.
We do suspect the deviation in the stream flow direction as a cause - We are yet to verify due to heavy rain at those locations and we are not sure who is the right authority to get this details.
I did mentioned no destruction in the mountain ranges - But as mentioned in the earlier queries - lot of pumping in the plateau and the plains.
Please note that we have one of the groundwater depletion rate in our district.
Thanks
Murthi
1 Comment
Monitoring groundwater in wells, together with rainfall measurements and streamflow can answer whether heavy pumping in the plains may be lowering down the water table below streambed level. However, that usually requires instrumentation which may not be available. Replacing the native vegetation by fast growing exotic trees ( eucalyptus specius, albizzia etc) can lead to high rates o water uptake, and indeed have been seen to lower groundwater and dry up springs in the Nilgiris. I assume you are referring to the Palnis, near Palani and Pollachi ?
Published by Amartya Saha, Associate Scientist at Florida International University