Herat groundwater level plunges due to lack of rain, deep wells

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): The groundwater level in western Herat province has dropped due to lack of rain and excessive use of deep wells, an official said on Thursday.

Hamid Elham, Administration and Finance Head of the provincial Environmental Protection Authority, said according to their findings the groundwater level receded due to the decline in rainfall, digging of deep wells and drying up of rivers and streams.

He said over 80pc people had dug deep wells for agriculture purpose on their own and water wastage and its improper use were other reasons that contributed to the plunging groundwater level.

He said digging deep wells and the use of solar panels to extract water had become a daily routine in Herat and it caused the groundwater to plummet.

Wali Ahmad, a resident of Guzara district who is associated with agriculture, said in the coming few years the people of Herat would not have access to healthy and agriculture water.

Ali Ahmad, a resident of Farqa locality, asked the people to carefully use water resources so they will not face water shortage in the future.

He asked the government to take immediate steps to control the dropping groundwater level and create a mechanism for the pumping of water through solar panels.

Irrigation Director Mawlavi Mohammad Kakar said the shortage of water would become a present and future challenge if the same situation continued.

He said the River Water Management Authority recently took the issue seriously and they planned a survey to shut illegally dug wells and prevent further digging of illegal and unprofessional wells.

In addition to the lack of underground water, the contamination of drinking water and the lack of sewage treatment plants are said to be other environmental problems of Herat city.

nh/ma

Views: 49