NASA Images Show Alarming Drop in Groundwater Levels in India and Pakistan

Post by : Priya

  Photo : X / @NASA

A recent study using satellite maps from NASA has revealed a serious and growing water problem in South Asia. Large parts of India and Pakistan are losing groundwater at a dangerous rate. This water, hidden beneath the earth’s surface, is essential for drinking, farming, and daily life. The new data has raised alarm among experts, farmers, and policymakers, as it shows a crisis that cannot be seen with the naked eye but could deeply impact millions of lives in the coming years.

What Did NASA Discover?

NASA's Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite system has been observing changes in the Earth’s water levels since 2002. The system tracks the amount of water stored underground by detecting changes in the Earth's gravity. Recently, scientists analyzed the data and created detailed maps that show just how much water is being lost in various parts of the world. Two of the worst-hit regions are northern India and eastern Pakistan.

The GRACE data clearly shows that underground water reserves in areas like Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and western Uttar Pradesh in India, as well as the Indus Basin in Pakistan, have been falling year after year. These are not small changes. In fact, NASA’s scientists called the situation one of the most serious groundwater depletions ever recorded.

Why Is Groundwater So Important?
Groundwater is stored in the soil and between rocks deep below the earth’s surface. It is not immediately visible, but it plays a huge role in our lives. In India and Pakistan, nearly 60% of the water used for agriculture comes from underground. This water also provides drinking water to many cities and villages. In times of drought, when rivers dry up and rainfall is low, groundwater becomes the only dependable source of water.

But unlike surface water, which can be seen and measured, groundwater is difficult to monitor and easy to overuse. And that is exactly what has been happening.

What Is Causing the Groundwater Loss?

The main cause of this water loss is overuse for farming. India and Pakistan are both agricultural countries. Large parts of the population depend on farming for their livelihoods. To ensure good crop growth, especially of water-hungry crops like rice, sugarcane, and wheat, farmers pump out huge amounts of groundwater.

The use of tube wells and electric pumps has made it easier and cheaper to pull out water, but it has also led to unsustainable use. In many places, water is being taken out much faster than nature can refill it through rain or rivers.

In Pakistan, especially in Punjab and Sindh, the story is much the same. Excessive pumping and poor management have led to severe drops in water levels. According to experts, more than 70% of Pakistan’s farming areas are now affected by falling groundwater levels.

The Impact on People and the Environment

The falling water table is already affecting people in both countries. In some areas, farmers are forced to dig deeper wells, which requires expensive machinery and more electricity. Poor farmers, who cannot afford this, are struggling to grow crops or are leaving farming altogether. This has led to increased migration to cities, putting even more pressure on urban water systems.

The environmental impact is also serious. As water levels drop, the soil becomes dry and loses fertility. In some places, over-pumping has caused the land to sink, a process called "land subsidence." Wetlands and rivers that depend on underground water are also drying up, leading to loss of biodiversity.

How Climate Change Is Making It Worse

Climate change is another factor adding to the problem. In recent years, rainfall patterns in the region have become less predictable. Some years bring too much rain and flooding, while others bring long periods of drought. These extreme weather events make it harder for groundwater to be naturally recharged.

Hotter temperatures also mean that water evaporates faster from the soil and surface reservoirs, leaving less behind to soak into the ground. Combined with the increasing demand for water due to population growth, the situation is becoming more critical each year.

Steps Taken by Governments

Governments in both India and Pakistan have recognized the problem and started taking steps, but many experts believe that the response is still too slow.

In India, the government has launched several programs to manage water use better, including:

• Jal Shakti Abhiyan: A nationwide water conservation campaign.
• Atal Bhujal Yojana: A groundwater management scheme involving community participation.
• Subsidies for drip and sprinkler irrigation to reduce water use in farming.

In Pakistan, water conservation campaigns have been introduced in schools and rural areas. Some provinces have begun regulating well drilling and promoting water-saving farming methods.

However, the enforcement of laws remains weak. In many areas, groundwater use remains unregulated, and farmers continue to extract as much as they can, simply to survive.

groundwater depletion