Groundwater, not glacier melt, keeps Ganga flowing in summer: IIT Roorkee study
To add to the surprise, the Ganga's volume increases by nearly 120% along this stretch thanks to the groundwater input. But there's a catch -- more than 58% of the river's water evaporates in summer. That's a huge loss we often ignore.
GROUNDWATER DEPLETION? NOT WHAT YOU THINKWhile we often hear about North India's groundwater crisis from satellite data, this study, which used two decades of actual field data, paints a different picture.The central Ganga plain's aquifers seem stable, supported by the steady output from shallow hand pumps.This suggests a strong and resilient underground system that's still feeding the river reliably.WHY THIS STUDY MATTERSThis insight is a game-changer for river rejuvenation efforts like Namami Gange and Jal Shakti Abhiyan. The study recommends more focus on recharging aquifers, reviving tributaries, and releasing adequate water from barrages -- because it's groundwater, not glaciers, that's truly holding the Ganga together in summer.As Prof Abhayanand Singh Maurya puts it, 'The Ganga is not drying because groundwater is gone, but because of over-extraction, neglect of tributaries, and excessive diversion.'- Ends
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- Hindustan Times
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Time of India
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