Context
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in its State of Global Water Resources 2025 report has identified a persistent multi-year decline in groundwater levels in parts of India. Over-extraction exceeding natural recharge has emerged as an important driver of groundwater depletion.
Explanation
- Groundwater recharge occurs mainly through infiltration of rainfall, rivers, lakes and irrigation water.
- Persistent decline occurs when groundwater extraction exceeds recharge, producing a long-term water deficit and falling water table.
- India’s north and north-western regions are particularly affected by intensive irrigation and groundwater withdrawal.
- WMO reported persistent groundwater deficits during 2022–2025 in India and several other global regions.
- In 2025, 34% of monitored stations globally recorded below-normal to much-below-normal groundwater levels, against 25% in 2024.
- WMO is a specialised agency of the United Nations dealing with weather, climate and water.
Sustainable management requires aquifer recharge, rainwater harvesting, efficient irrigation and demand-side management.
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Groundwater Depletion: India’s Water Security Challenge