Changing climate has resulted in a changed distribution of rainfall in various parts of the state. Experts at the groundwater department are concerned about the disparate pattern in rainfall involving increased spells with lesser number of rainy days or more rainy days resulting in flooding, especially in parts with little provision for groundwater recharge.
The experts are seeking preparedness in the wake of climate change to conserve rainwater. What is setting the alarm bells abuzz is that the recharge percentage has decreased significantly with the rainfall intensity, resulting in floods followed by drought as per studies. Sharing the aforementioned, Dr K. Venugopal, joint director, groundwater department, said that recent studies on floods vis-a-vis groundwater recharge in the state, found that floods occur more frequently during evenly distributed rainfall while the spells of intense rainfalls are also increasing.
“These studies further conclude that urbanisation coupled with intense rainfall results in runoff and less recharge to groundwater,” he said urging for a concrete plan to conserve flood water. “Intense rainfall results in flash floods contributing to runoff. It is the conservation of this runoff at various sites which would help indirect irrigation as well as recharge of groundwater,” he added.
The groundwater department recommended it important that more land be earmarked for conservation of flood water. “Detention time becomes less with intense rainfall and, thus, more recharge structures are required. In a state like Andhra Pradesh, watershed management at micro levels has to be given a chance,” he said.