File pic of tanker supplying drinking water to villages
Nashik: Groundwater levels have deteriorated sharply across Nashik division, with 52 of 54 talukas recording a decline by the end of Sept and 31 watershed areas slipping into the over-exploited category, according to the Groundwater Survey and Development Agency (GSDA). The situation is most severe in Ahilyanagar and Nashik districts, which account for 13 and 11 over-exploited watershed areas respectively. Of the division’s 300 watershed areas, 199 are classified as safe, 61 as semi-critical, nine as critical and 31 as over-exploited. “Groundwater levels in as many as 52 out of 54 talukas deteriorated significantly by the end of Sept. The GSDA prepared this official report based on water level observations from 750 wells,” a senior GSDA officer said. “Ahilyanagar district recorded the maximum average drop of 2.8m, followed by Nashik at 1.6m. Within Ahilyanagar, the steepest decline was observed in Ahilyanagar taluka at 4.9m and Jamkhed at 4.8m below the surface. Yeola recorded a fall of 3.3m, followed by Nandgaon (2.7m), Chandvad (2.4m), and Devla and Malegaon (2.3m each).
Jalgaon district saw steep declines in Bodwad, Jamner, Yawal, Bhusawal, Erandol, Chopda and Jalgaon talukas, while Taloda and Dhadgaon in Nandurbar and Sakri and Shindkheda in Dhule also reported notable depletion. Ends You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Nashik | Silver Rate in Nashik | Bank Holidays in Nashik | Public Holidays in Nashik | Petrol Price in Nashik | Diesel Price in Nashik | CNG Price in Nashik | LPG Price in Nashik Stay updated with the latest Nashik news.
Four other talukas, Pathardi, Rahuri, Shevgaon and Shrigonda, witnessed groundwater levels plummeting by more than 3m,” the officer said. “While an erratic monsoon due to El Nino weather conditions was heavily blamed this year, people across the region must also refrain from wasting water during good monsoons and actively undertake extensive water conservation methods to prevent further depletion,” the officer said. In contrast, all watershed areas in Dhule and Nandurbar districts remain in the safe category. Dindori and Niphad are the only talukas where groundwater levels did not decrease. The agency attributed the depletion to a delayed monsoon, deficient rainfall and intense short-duration showers that caused runoff instead of groundwater recharge. In Nashik district, groundwater levels declined significantly in Yeola, Nandgaon, Chandvad, Sinnar, Malegaon, Devala and Baglan. Download the TOI App.
Groundwater levels fell by 1.9m in Peth, 1.7m in Igatpuri, 1.5m in Kalwan and 1.4m in Surgana. Even traditionally high-rainfall talukas were not spared. Trimbakeshwar also recorded significant depletion, raising concerns over water availability next summer.