If rains don’t hit the northwestern and central parts of India soon, the water table in these regions may fall below last year’s levels, a preliminary assessment has revealed.

Last year, the ground water levels in northwestern states during the pre-monsoon period (April-June) was estimated at 10-20 metres below ground level, said a senior Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) official. And, the near absence of rains in these regions since October could result in a further decline in these levels, the official added.