Amravati: Groundwater levels have declined sharply across Amravati district amid prolonged dry spells, uneven rainfall and rising temperatures, with three talukas — Warud, Daryapur and Chandur Bazaar — classified as ‘over-exploited’ and Morshi and Achalpur placed in the ‘critical’ category.The remaining talukas are currently in the safe category. However, depleted water storage has raised concerns over a possible water shortage, prompting the administration to appeal to residents to conserve water.In Warud, extensive pumping from wells and borewells to save orange crops has pushed the groundwater table to depths of more than 15-20 metres. A rainless spell of over 40 days in Aug and Sept has further stalled natural recharge, with several water sources beginning to dry up.Daryapur, located in the Purna river basin, has also been classified as over-exploited. Groundwater in the area has high total dissolved solids (TDS), making it unsuitable for drinking and irrigation. Freshwater reserves have been heavily tapped for cotton and other cash crops, while the prolonged dry spell has limited recharge.Chandur Bazaar is also facing pressure on groundwater due to orange orchards and other horticultural crops. The water table was recorded at more than 20 metres during summer. Although an early-June flood in the Megha river increased storage in the Purna Medium Project, the subsequent lack of rainfall has hampered groundwater recharge in the taluka.Officials warned that continued extraction at the current rate could further worsen the groundwater situation.
