Many suspend paddy sowing, dig up new borewells for irrigation Rapidly depleting water table has become a cause of concern for farmers in the Ambala belt, as underground water has dipped to a new low of 370 ft in most of the areas. It was 270 ft in 2012. Many farmers have been left high and dry, as they have to dig up new borewells to irrigate fields. Even those who are still able to pump out water have suspended paddy sowing, fearing the tubewells would go dry if monsoon rains continue to elude the region over the next few days. Pritam Singh of Garnala village said he had decided to cultivate paddy on 10 acres of his land. “But as the monsoon has not arrived here, I have delayed sowing paddy on six acres, as pumping out water can lead to drying up of the borewell,” he said. Virender Chauhan, another farmer, said while irrigating the fields using tubewells was an option this year due to adequate power supply, farmers were apprehensive on account of falling water table. Most of the existing tubewells at a depth of 320 to 330 ft have dried up. Only a few that were dug up in two year at are working. Partap Singh of Sambhalkha village said, “I am getting a new borewell for which I have to spend Rs 4.5-5 lakh,” he said. Govt’s role in bring up water table • In order to revive underground water, Rs 95.51-cr micro water dams’ project was introduced in Ambala, under which small dams were constructed on seasonal rivers • The project helped in raising the water table by 30 ft last year, but the system depends on rains, as these rivers remain dry throughout the year • Agriculture scientists say extensive cultivation of paddy in the district has led to rapid depletion of water table