17. Assessment of Impact of the Devastating Earthquake on 26th January 2001 on the Ground Water Resources in Kachchh Region Dr. Yagnik V.M., Ayachit V.V., Gohil A.D. (NAVNIRMAN, January-December 2001, pp. 1–5). Abstract The devastating earthquake on the fateful day of 26th January 2001 has created unimaginable destruction and loss of lives. The earthquake measuring a magnitude of 6.9 on Ritcher Scale has resulted in severe damages to the existing water resources projects and affected the ground water resources of the region as well. To assess the impact of the devastating earthquake on the ground water resources in terms of quantity and quality, detailed assessment studies were carried out by GWRDC Ltd. from 4th to 6th February, 2001 and the collected data was analysed critically. Automatic Water Level Recorders (AWLRs) installed to record continuous data water level fluctuations in the piezometers under hydrology project have indicated abrupt variations in the water levels. It has been observed there is a decline in water levels in Bhachau, Rapar, Anjar and Bhuj talukas of the region with water levels declining by 0.01 to 23.3 mts. Lakhpat, Nakhtrana, Abdasa and Mandvi talukas have indicated rise in water levels with the rise in water levels ranging between 0.04 and 17.18 mts. Similarly, there is an increase in total dissolved salts in talukas of the region indicating deterioration in water quality, while the total dissolved salts are observed to decrease in Bhuj, Bhachau, Rapar and Anjar talukas indicating improvement in quality. Further monitoring of water levels and water quality after a period of one month has indicated that the abrupt variations that have occurred due to the earthquake have gradually subdued and the status prior to the occurrence of the devastating earthquake has gradually been attained in terms of water levels and water quality. Top Keywords Earthquake, Destruction, Ritcher, Automatic water level recorders, Piezometers, Deterioration, Devastating. Top |