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River Ganga Drying up in Summers due to Groundwater Depletion: Study

Published on August 29, 2018
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.
River Ganga Drying up in Summers due to Groundwater Depletion: Study
  • 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

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