Women go far and wide to collect water in groups. The picture has been taken from Mahalipara area of Tanore upazila of Rajshahi recently — FE Photo RAJSHAHI, May 02: The underground water level has gone down with many deep tube-wells become inoperative in Rajshahi region amid the ongoing sultry summer heat.
Due to the water shortage, farmers are failing to provide sufficient irrigation for their cropland.
Researchers say the underground water level in Rajshahi region is dropping at a faster pace in recant years and temperature is increasing alarmingly. So, people wail for water in the Barind region.
Now, all upazilas of the district have been facing a groundwater crisis since last year.
They also say that due to an unplanned urbanisation in Rajshahi region, green nature and reservoirs are being lost. Meanwhile, rainfall has also decreased, resulting in a fall in the underground water level.
Along with that, the temperature is increasing abnormally, causing a shortage of water for agriculture and drinking.
While visiting different areas of the district, this correspondent has found that there is a shortage of water everywhere in Rajshahi Barind region following a drought.
However, Panchandar Union of Tanore Upazila has suffered most for drought. Due to a water shortage, local residents are collecting water from different distant sources for drinking and household work.
The similar picture is also prevailing in some villages of Bagha Upazila. Water does not rise in tube-wells and deep tube-wells. The people of these villages also have to go far to collect drinking water.
Meanwhile, due to lack of water and intense heat, agricultural land has dried in Rajshahi region and irrigation is not possible due to a gradual fall in the groundwater level.
Lutfar Rahman, a farmer of Panchandar Union of Tanore Upazila, said if the land is irrigated at night, it dries up after noon due to the ongoing heatwave. As a result, the cost of irrigation has doubled.
Marjina Begum, a resident of Mahalipara in Tanore, said, 'We don't get water here. We bring drinking water from those who have deep tube-wells and tanks nearby. Water has to be fetched 4-5 times a day."Md Mostakim, a resident of Chak Rajapur area of Bagha Upazila, said, 'The underground water level has gone down a lot. So, we are forced to bring water from nearby areas to drink."
According to the Water Resources Planning Organization (WARPO), the water level is decreasing due to the climate change effects.
Last summer, the groundwater level in Tanore area of Rajshahi dropped to 113 feet. Due to non-refill (normal) of groundwater, the water level in the region has dropped by average four feet per year. Also, temperature is increasing alarmingly.
Dr Chowdhury SarwarJahan, professor of Geology and Mining Department of Rajshahi University, said, "Due to lack of rain, the ongoing heatwave and severe drought, the underground water level in Rajshahi region is falling double."
"If this situation continues, there will be no water under the ground in the next 25-40 years," he says.
Giving suggestions to solve the problem, he says that in Barind region this water should be effectively conveyed underground without wasting rainwater. And the use of river and canal water should be increased. The use of the groundwater for irrigation should be reduced. For this, the water capacity should be increased by digging canals and canals.
Besides, less irrigated crops should be cultivated instead of more irrigated boro. A lot of tree plantation should be done in Barind area to increase the annual rainfall. If the rainfall increases, the water level will become normal.
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