Groundwater Drought in the Northwestern Districts of Bangladesh

Abstract

Prolonged absence of groundwater within the operating range of shallow tube-wells during dry season is a common problem in the northwestern districts of Bangladesh in the recent years. In this paper, groundwater scarcity and drought in three northwestern districts of Bangladesh have been investigated. The Cumulative Deficit approach from a threshold groundwater level has been used for the computation of severity of groundwater droughts. Monthly groundwater fluctuation data collected from 85 sites is used for the study. The study shows that groundwater scarcity in 42% area is an every year phenomenon in the region. Analysis of groundwater hydrographs and rainfall time-series reveals that ever increasing groundwater extraction for irrigation in the dry season and recurrent droughts are the causes of groundwater level drop in the region.

Deciphering transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer by vertical electrical sounding (VES) experiments in Northwest Bangladesh

“…The topography of the area is mainly flat with an average elevation of 25 m above the mean sea level. There is a mild surface gradient toward southeast (Shahid and Hazarika 2010).…”

“…Groundwater is a major component of people's livelihood and agro-based economy in Northwest Bangladesh (Shahid and Hazarika 2010). About 75 % water for irrigation in the region comes from groundwater (Shahid 2010).…”

“…About 75 % water for irrigation in the region comes from groundwater (Shahid 2010). However, overexploitation of groundwater in recent years has caused the groundwater level falls to the extent of not getting fully replenished in the recharge season.…”

“…However, overexploitation of groundwater in recent years has caused the groundwater level falls to the extent of not getting fully replenished in the recharge season. Actions are necessary to regulate the abstraction of groundwater in the area for sustaining rechargeable groundwater aquifers (Shahid and Hazarika 2010). Costeffective estimation of aquifer properties is essential for this purpose.…”

Groundwater Resource Assessment: in the Context of Bhawaniganj Pourashava

“…About 75% water for irrigation in the region comes from GW (Shahid & Hazarika, 2010). In order to achieve sustainable agricultural growth and to maintain ecological balance, the Barind Integrated Area Development Project (BIADP) under the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) was launched during late eighties of the last century in Chapai-Nawabganj, Naogaon and Rajshahi districts which include 25 Upazilla (sub-district) in the 'Barind area' at the northwestern part of Bangladesh.…”