India Faces Persistent Groundwater Decline

India’s Groundwater Levels in Persistent Decline

Why in News?

• The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has reported a persistent decline in groundwater levels in India in its State of Global Water Resources 2025 report. 
• The decline is particularly significant in northern and north-western India, where groundwater extraction has been high. 

Key global findings:

• One of the driest years: 2025 was one of the driest years for global river discharge in 35 years, with below-normal flows across 36% of global river-basin area. 
• Abnormal river flows: For the seventh consecutive year, normal river conditions were found in only 34–38% of basins, compared with a 1991–2020 average of 46%. 
• Declining water storage: Global terrestrial water storage has shown a persistent decline since around 2014–16, indicating long-term depletion of freshwater reserves. 
• Groundwater stress: Nearly two-thirds of monitored wells globally were outside their historical range in 2025, with conditions shifting further towards deficits. 
• Glacier loss: 2025 marked the fourth consecutive year of widespread glacier loss in all major glaciated regions. Glaciers lost about 408 ±132 Gt of ice during the hydrological year. 
• More extreme events: Floods and droughts continued to occur across many regions, sometimes with little recovery time between events. Asia and Africa were the most affected regions. 
• Data gaps remain: Although hydrological monitoring has improved, Asia and Africa still have relatively limited observation coverage, despite being highly exposed to water-related extremes. 

India-specific findings:

• Northern India faced below-normal terrestrial water storage in 2025, indicating stress in the combined storage of groundwater, soil moisture, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, snow and ice. 
• Groundwater depletion remains a major concern: Persistent groundwater deficits were reported in India during 2022–25, with particularly widespread below-normal to much-below-normal levels in northwestern India. 
• Ganges–Indus region: Below-normal terrestrial water storage repeatedly affected the Ganges–Indus headwaters during 2021–25. 
• South Asian glaciers: The South Asia West glacier region recorded an annual glacier mass balance among its three most negative years on record, highlighting long-term implications for Himalayan water availability. 
• Surface-water contrast: Despite groundwater stress, South and Southeast Asia recorded above-normal to much-above-normal river discharge in 2025. Thus, high river flows did not necessarily mean recovery of longer-term groundwater and water-storage deficits. 
• India’s climate context: According to India Meteorological Department data reported by WMO, India received 110% of its 1971–2020 long-period average rainfall in 2025, while the country's annual mean temperature was 0.28°C above the 1991–2020 average.

World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

• The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) was established in 1950 as a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN). 
• It developed from the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), founded in 1873.
• The WMO works on weather, climate, hydrology, and related environmental sciences. 
• Its main aim is to promote international cooperation and exchange of scientific information and technology. 
• The World Meteorological Congress is its highest decision-making body. 
• The Executive Council implements its policies, while the Secretariat handles administration. 
• It has 193 members and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

Practice Question

Q. With reference to the WMO’s State of Global Water Resources 2025 Report, consider the following statements:

1. Northern India recorded below-normal terrestrial water storage in 2025, despite South and Southeast Asia experiencing above-normal to much-above-normal river discharge. 
2. Persistent groundwater deficits in India during 2022–25 were particularly widespread in northwestern India. 
3. The report indicates that above-normal river discharge necessarily signifies recovery of groundwater and long-term terrestrial water storage. 
4. The South Asia West glacier region experienced one of its three most negative annual glacier mass balances on record. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 4 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: B. 1, 2 and 4 only

Explanation:

• Northern India recorded below-normal terrestrial water storage, while South and Southeast Asia had above-normal river discharge.Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• Persistent groundwater deficits were observed in India during 2022–25, particularly in northwestern India. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• High river discharge does not necessarily indicate recovery of groundwater or longer-term water storage. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
• The South Asia West glacier region recorded an annual glacier mass balance among its three most negative years on record. Hence, statement 4 is correct.