Water Budget
The annual rainfall received in Panavally Grama Panchayat is sufficient to meet the total water requirements of the area. However, since rainfall is not evenly distributed throughout the year, it is not possible to ensure water availability at all times. This challenge can be overcome by implementing appropriate water conservation measures during periods of abundant rainfall. However, to ensure a year-round water supply for agricultural needs in certain areas, additional interventions to develop irrigation facilities are also required. This water budget has provided valuable insight into transforming Panavally Grama Panchayat into a region with assured water security. To move towards water security based on this water budget, financial and technical support must be secured from various departments and agencies. Rainfall data recorded by the Hydrology Wing of the Irrigation Department between June 2013 and May 2022 has been utilized for this water budget. The budget reflects a water deficit from the last ten days of December through the second ten-day period of April, while a water surplus is indicated for the remaining days.However, this water budget reveals that the total annual water availability is 23,833,444.63 million cubic meters, while the total water requirement is 6,354,627.396 million cubic meters. It also highlights the need for greater attention to water usage during the months of January through May.
• Panavally Grama Panchayat can transform into a water-secure panchayat through effective water conservation and water utilization initiatives.
• Additional irrigation facilities need to be provided to carry out cultivation during the months of March, April, and May, and to expand farming onto fallow land.
• Interventions to ensure the judicious use of water are required in agricultural sectors that consume large amounts of water.
• There is a need for establishing micro-irrigation facilities and implementing wastewater recycling in Panavally Grama Panchayat.