Three observatory wells go dry

By T.Ramakrishnan

CHENNAI, JULY 3. As an indication of falling groundwater tables in southern parts of the city, observatory wells in Saidapet, Besant Nagar and Velachery, maintained by the Central Groundwater Board (CGWB), have gone dry.

This is among the findings of the reading of water levels taken by the Board in May.

In all these wells, water was available at an average depth of 20 ft when the reading was taken in January.

The CGWB takes readings of its observatory wells four times in a year - January, May, August and November.

In other parts of south Chennai, the levels went down, on an average, by three ft to five ft. Among these areas were Santhome, Kodambakkam, T.Nagar and Taramani.

In north Chennai, Tondiarpet's well, where the level of groundwater stood at 18 ft in January, also became empty.

Besides, wells in Perambur and Aminjikarai went dry as early as in January.

The highest fluctuation was noticed in Thirumangalam where the level stood at about nine ft in January, but went down to 26 ft.

In respect of other regions, Villivakkam and Vepery in north, and Thousand Lights and Chepauk in central have witnessed the downward movement in the range of less than a foot to a little more than 1.5 ft.

The prolonged dry run, in terms of rainfall, coupled with a heavy drawal of groundwater is attributed to the declining groundwater table.

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