Scientists at the city-based National Geophysical Research Laboratory (NGRI) are optimistic that if water conserving measures such as rainwater harvesting are put in place in a joint venture of citizens and civic bodies, the monsoon will be enough to ensure the city does not experience another parched summer.
Dr Shakeel Ahmed of the Indo French Centre for Groundwater Research said, “Even though it is too early to predict the impact of the monsoon on groundwater levels, if it continues on the same scale, we are sure we won’t have to suffer next summer.” The geological structure of Hyderabad is different from that of the plains. Since it is hard rock underneath, the groundwater tables are connected by “cracks” that are formed naturally over time, distributing water from one pocket to another.
“This explains why you might get water in one site, and never get any just 10 feet away as it could not have hit a crack. The pattern is thus very erratic. Our measurements indicate that the water level has gone down over the years because of a steep increase in consumption. Also, we had 2,700 small and big lakes in city 30 years ago. Now it is just about 200,” says S.N. Rai, a scientist at NGRI. “Though the monsoon has started, it might not be too late to install rainwater harvesting systems. These installations that only take about a week to complete, will improve the water table significantly,” says Dr Shakeel.