Department of Civil Engineering, National College of Engineering, Tirunelveli, 627151, Tamil Nadu, India
Rainfall intensity and groundwater quantity in Coastal Area of Kanyakumari to Colachel coastal belt after Tsunami, South TamilNadu, India was used to assess the capacity of groundwater for determining its suitability for drinking and agricultural purposes. Physical and chemical parameters of groundwater are also analysed based on the rainfall intensity.
In Kanyakumari district, the surface water resources have been fully utilized. The surface flow is more during monsoon periods. The deficient monsoon rainfall has affected the flow of surface water into reservoirs, Ana cuts, lakes etc. Surface water and rainwater are widely used for irrigations. Surface water irrigation constitutes nearly 94% of major source for irrigation. Consequently the agriculturists have to a great extent depend upon an alternate source viz., groundwater to their irrigation requirements.
Groundwater in the area is generally very good, pleasant, fresh to brackish, average to very low saline and low alkaline in nature and fit both for agriculture and drinking purposes. Permissible average Total Hardness and TDS in all places of the study area identify the suitability of groundwater for drinking and irrigation.
In the study area less ground water extraction keeps the water table high. The elevated topography, more rainfall and limited ground water extraction, keeps the Kanyakumari coastal belt free from sea water intrusion.
The surface water resources have been fully utilized. The surface flow is more during monsoon periods. Surface water and rain water are widely used for irrigations. Surface water irrigation constitutes nearly 94% of major source of irrigation. Of the total net area irrigated only 6% is under well irrigation and hence there is no over extraction of ground water in the area. Quantity of water is generally good through out the district due to continuous rain fall in all monsoon seasons. Comparing the results of water quantity like surface water and subsurface water before and after Tsunami there is not much change in the quantity.
