Borewells multiply in LB Nagar

L B Nagar: The groundwater levels are depleting at a fast rate at L B Nagar and with Hyderabad receiving -33% deficit rainfall in 2017-18 the woes for the residents of the East Zone has multiplied. In spite of a ban on new borewells, close to 120 borewells came up in the area.

With a 24x7 drilling that continues in the night as well as the day, the residents faces a lot of problems. With the dust they are choking for death. “They don’t take the measures to cover the dust that comes from the drilling area. We are forced to inhale dust particles when there is a borewell digging nearby. A borewell digging will last for 2-3 days and the sound is also very disturbing to the people who stay nearby,” says Praveen, a resident of Karmanghat. Digging borewells deplete ground water level which decreases the moisture and fertility of the soil. Groundwater depletion increases the emission of carbon dioxide gas.

“Who will take the responsibility of our health problems caused by borewell digging and borewell water?” questioned Suresh Yadav, a resident of Saroornagar. Borewell water is also not safe for the health. Borewell water has arsenic and iron in larger amount which will cause severe health problems.
Rainfall is the principal source of input for groundwater recharge. The behavior of groundwater is governed by rainfall, its quantity, intensity and frequency. Compared to 2017, the water level in all the wells in Hyderabad is decreased in 2018.

Rama Rao, a social activist says what is worse is corporators have been turning a blind eye and in certain cases helping people dig borewells. He added, “There is no scope for borewells. If people showed the same enthusiasm for rainwater harvesting pits, the situation would not have been so dismal.