IMPACT OF GROUND WATER DROUGHT ON DOMESTIC WATER USE IN BARIND TRACT, BANGLADESH

Abstract

Prolonged summer with low precipitation has become a regular panorama in north-western part of Bangladesh since the last few decades. Hostile climate and diminishing surface water sources have compelled people to depend on ground water for drinking, domestic and agricultural uses. Huge extraction of ground water without sufficient recharge resulted into sharp and gradual depletion of ground water level. Additionally, the situation worsens when the existing Shallow Tube Wells (STW) and other surface water sources dries up and fails to supply water during pick summer. As a whole, a severe drought environment prevails in the Barind tract region of Bangladesh. This paper intends to explore the nature and scale of domestic water crisis in Barind tract and people’s adaptation strategy to survive within the adverse situation. Case studies were conducted in three communities in Porsha area of Noagoan district located within the Barind tract region in Bangladesh. To conduct the study; questionnaire survey, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Participatory Rural Apprisal (PRA) tools were applied to collect primary data followed by data analysis. The impact of domestic water crisis and adaptation strategies are portrayed by reviewing the history of domestic water sources, availability, consumption, collection, storage and sufferings in drought and other seasons. The specific impacts of droughts on domestic water use and other sectors are absent for most of the regions worldwide. The findings of the study might shed some light for response actions to play and for policy formation.