Department of Geology reports revenue, groundwater study findings

DIMAPUR — The Department of Geology and Mining generated a revenue of INR 2,36,128 from the construction and development of tube wells under exploratory and deposit work from April 2023 to date.

The construction and development of tube wells included four in Wakching village, Mon district, under exploratory work, and one under deposit work at the DC office complex in Longleng district.

Meanwhile, according to the department, the identification of groundwater stress areas east of the Dhansiri River in Dimapur and Chümoukedima districts was undertaken during 2023–24. The aim was to understand the hydrological setup of the area.

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The project aimed to demarcate water-stressed areas east of the Dhansiri River in Dimapur and Chümoukedima districts on a 1:25,000 scale. It also sought to estimate aquifer parameters, including aquifer thickness, water levels, tapping zones, recharge rates, and withdrawal rates.

It also aimed to map areas requiring artificial recharge and to identify water-intensive units, such as water bottling plants, car washes, and water parks. It involved the collection of surface and subsurface hydrological data, quantification of abstraction structures, and the collection and chemical analysis of water samples.

It was reported that a hydrogeological survey was conducted on 406 households in the study area. The survey data indicate an increase in water scarcity during the lean period as one moves further south. Areas such as Diphupar A, Diphupar B, Sovima, 5th Mile, and 6th Mile experience water shortages during the dry season.

The report also mentioned that water sampling was conducted from both shallow and deeper aquifers to assess water quality in the study area. A total of 74 groundwater samples were collected and analysed in the department’s chemical laboratory.

The chemical analysis data indicated that six samples had iron (Fe) levels above the permissible limit, eleven samples had high sodium (Na) levels, eight samples had elevated potassium (K) levels, one sample had excess manganese (Mn), and two samples had fluoride (F) levels exceeding the permissible limit.

The potential hydrogen (pH) values of the analysed samples in the study area range from 5 to 7, while the contents of calcium, magnesium, bicarbonates, chlorides, and sulphates are all within the permissible limits.