Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
of development is not uniform, there are areas, which are greatly affected
while in other parts the problem is not so severe.
In view of the recurring problems of drought, Government of India has
launched an Accelerated Programme of Groundwater Exploration and
development. Under this programme, tube wells are being drilled as “sanctuary
wells”, which will be used only during the drought period, as a crisis
management measure exclusively for drinking water needs.
HYDROGEOLOGICAL SETUP
India is a vast country having diversified geological, climatological and
physiographic setup, giving rise to divergent groundwater situations in
different parts of the country. The rocks, which control the movement of
groundwater, vary in age from Archean to Recent and also vary widely in
composition and structure. The landforms vary from rugged mountains of
the Himalayas to flat alluvial plains of rivers and coastal tracts, and the
aeolian deserts of Rajasthan. The rainfall also varies from <100 mm in parts
of Rajasthan to >10,000 mm in Meghalaya. The topography and rainfall
virtually control the surface runoff and consequently the groundwater recharge.
Fig. 2 shows the major aquifers in India.
Figure 2.
Distribution of major aquifers in India
(
Source:
Raju, 2003).
