According to a recent study conducted by IIT-Kharagpur, River Ganga has witnessed unprecedented low levels of water in several lower reaches in last few summer seasons.
a. Yamuna
b. Kaveri
c. Narmada
d. Ganga
- The study was carried out under IIT-KGP Science and Heritage Initiative (SANDHI) Initiative, which focuses on river systems and its relationship with settlement system.
- It had used combination of satellite images of groundwater levels of Ganga, numerical simulations and chemical analyses to draw the conclusion.
Highlights of the Study:
- Drying of Ganga River in recent years during summer seasons is possibly related to groundwater depletion in Gangetic aquifers.
- The decline of groundwater inflow (base flow) is also impacting the health of the river.
- Present day base flow to Ganga from adjoining aquifers may be third or more of total river water volume in pre-monsoon months.
- The base flow might have dipped by 50% from beginning of irrigation-pumping phase in 1970s.
- In forthcoming summers, for next 30 years, groundwater contribution to river Ganga will continue decreasing.
- This trend can lead to a disastrous effect on the riverine ecology and lead to food scarcity for 115 million people in the Ganga basin.
What is the significance of this study?
- It is of interest to hydrology, global change community and policymakers.
- It can help general public understand wider implications of groundwater depletion.
- It also brings out scientific reasons for the decreased flows of the river Ganga, especially in the lower reaches.
- The findings will be extremely helpful in providing quantitative data for future planning of water resources projects in the Ganga basin.
Question:
According to a recent study conducted by IIT-Kharagpur, which river has witnessed unprecedented low levels of water in several lower reaches in last few summer seasons?a. Yamuna
b. Kaveri
c. Narmada
d. Ganga
