Mumbai: The number of wells surveyed in the state which reported a decline in groundwater is 47.8 % higher than in 2015, which was also a drought year. This is an indication of the extent of water stress in the state owing to the major rainfall deficit this year.Observation wells are selected in different regions in the state to track groundwater levels. In regions dependent on rainfall, groundwater is a key source of drinking and irrigation water. The state is facing among its most widespread droughts this year, with 85% of its talukas affected.Data presented in the state cabinet on Wednesday showed that 2,246 observation wells had reported groundwater depletion in 2015. The number has risen to 3,321 this year. This is a rise of 1,075, which the Groundwater Survey and Development Agency (GSDA) termed significant.Of the 3,321 wells which reported a groundwater decline this year, the highest number is from Marathwada (862) and North Maharashtra (650), followed by Western Maharashtra (558), Amravati (531), Nagpur (530) and Konkan (190).However, compared to 2015, North Maharashtra has recorded the sharpest rise in observation wells which reported a depletion. The number rose from 362 to 650 (+79.5%) from 2015 to 2025. In Nagpur, the number rose from 279 to 530 (+ 89.9%). In Amravati, the number increased from 298 to 531 (+ 78.1%).In 964 observation wells in the state, the depletion in groundwater is more than three metres. Of these 594 (61.6%) are located in the Marathwada region and 160 (16.5%) in North Maharashtra. A decline of more than three metres means the region will face water problems from this month itself.Indeed, depletion in groundwater is one of the indicators considered by the government in order to declare drought. Already 768 tankers are supplying water to rural Maharashtra, a rise of 25.7% from just a week earlier.Ten of the state’s 36 districts have reported a rain deficit of over 40% compared to the norm, the latest data after the retreat of the monsoon shows. Solapur in Western Maharashtra reported the highest rain deficit of 53% followed by Nandurbar in North Maharashtra, where the deficit is 51.3%, and Latur in Marathwada, where the shortfall is 51.2%.Other districts with an over 40% deficit include Kolhapur (-49%), Amravati (-45.2%), Parbhani (-45.6%), Dharashiv (-41.3%), Akola (-41.1%), Washim )-40.9%) and Beed (-40.3%). As many as 24 or the state’s 36 districts have reported a deficit of over 25%.
