Ground Water Studies of Vijayagopalapuram Village, Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh, India Using Geospatial Technology

Abstract

Vijayagopalapuram, a revenue village in Kanigiri mandal of Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh, India is a severely drought affected area. This village lies between longitude 79°27'12" to 79°30 45" E and latitude 15°16'40" to 15°18'45" N with geographical area of 857 ha. The average annual rainfall of Kanigiri mandal is 813.4 mm. The main lithological units in the Vijayagopalapuram village include Quartz-Chlorite-Sericite (QCS) Schist and Quartzite (DQt) rocks. These rocks represent the regionally metamorphosed Dharwar Super Group superimposed by minor association of Granite Gneiss (Grgn) of Younger intrusives of Proterozoic age. The study area has been classified into six hydrogeomorphic units using high resolution merged satellite data (IRS P6 LISS-IV + Cartosat-I) of 2016 based on lithology and thickness of weathering on 1:10,000 scale. Majority of the lineaments are trending in NE-SW, N-S and NW-SE directions. Extensive ground truth was carried out and field information is incorporated to finalize the hydrogeomorphology/ground water prospects map. The depth to ground water levels in this village is ranging between 20–25 m. Further, the revenue village map is digitized, and superimposed on hydrogeomorphology map. This helps to give site specific recommendation on ground water prospects survey number wise i.e. for individual farmers. Spatial distribution of ground water quality map based on the statistical analysis of the entire study area is prepared using spatial interpolation technique for certain chemical parameters namely TDS, TH, Cl, No3, pH, F, Fe, TA and So4. Based on the analysis, it is observed that about 20% of the area is under non potable category due to high concentration of fluoride, and total alkalinity and 75% of the area is potable category. Remaining 5% of the area is covered under water bodies. Geospatial technology is proved to be very effective in the development and management of natural resources.