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India's Vanishing Rivers: Climate Change Threatens Ancient Water Systems
10 Nov
Summary
- India's water resources unevenly distributed, with 60% in Ganga-Brahmaputra basin
- Climate change causing glacial retreat, extreme floods and droughts
- Groundwater depletion leading to decline in river baseflows
India's water crisis is entering a new era, shaped by the unpredictable disruptions of climate change. As of November 2025, the country is grappling with intensifying floods, droughts, and glacial retreat, placing unprecedented stress on its already fragile water systems.
The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident. A consistent warming trend is increasing water demand, while rainfall patterns show greater variability, with some regions experiencing declining seasonal rainfall. Compounding this uncertainty is the retreat of the Himalayan glaciers, which currently contribute significantly to dry-season river flows. As glacial melt accelerates, an initial increase in flow could be followed by steep declines, threatening the lives and livelihoods of millions downstream.
However, climate change is not the sole stressor. Human-induced pressures, such as the expansion of groundwater-irrigated agriculture, have also led to severe aquifer depletion. This has resulted in a decline in baseflow, the slow release of rainwater from aquifers that once sustained many Indian rivers even during the dry season.
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Experts argue that addressing India's water crisis requires a multifaceted approach. This includes modernizing aging infrastructure, managing groundwater extraction, and embracing adaptive water governance that can navigate the uncertainties of a changing climate. Improved data sharing and grounded primary research are also crucial to inform better decision-making and policy.
