Investigation of Seepage Channel Using Remote Sensing Technique in Jodhpur City, Rajasthan

Abstract

Jodhpur city has been experiencing rising ground water levels. The water levels in many parts of the city especially in the old city area, Tripoliya market, Gantaghar, Nai Sarak, Chandpole, Sajoti Gate, Shivanchi Gate and housing busy markets have touched to even 1-2 mbgl., causing seepage in underground basement of shops and houses in these areas and weakening the foundations and reducing the lives of the buildings due to dampness of the walls. Traditional field survey methods for detection of seepage channel are costly and time consuming. In this study, a rapid, cost-effective remote sensing technique was used for finding out the seepage channel in these parts of Jodhpur city and adjoining areas. In the present study Landsat-7 ETM, multi-date image and survey of India toposheets were used for generation of different thematic maps of the study area. A three- step process, image acquisition, processing and analysis have been applied for identification of seepage channel through visual interpretation of the satellite imagery. Finally based on the prepared thematic maps, analysis of remote sensing imagery and delineation of major structural control over ground water seepage flow channel was done along the lineaments. These lineaments are providing easy conduit for movement of ground water and seepage path of flow of ground water towards the city area.