For the first time in 1,300 years, the Ganges River has dropped to a critical level: the river’s flow has decreased by 76% compared to the 16th century, putting hundreds of millions of people at risk of water scarcity.
Around 600 million residents of South Asia risk losing access to drinking water due to the massive decline in the flow of the Ganges River. A study by scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar and the University of Arizona showed that the current drought is the most severe in the last 1,300 years.
Scientists updated data on the Ganges’ water levels from 700 to 2012 using archives, natural indicators, and computer models. The analysis showed that the sharp decline in water volume began in the 1990s.
The main causes of the crisis are the accelerated melting of Himalayan glaciers and excessive extraction of groundwater. Since the 1970s, the level of aquifers in northern India has more than halved.
The drought is already being felt: wells are drying up, farmers are left without irrigation, and certain sections of the river are becoming impassable for boats. This directly threatens the food security, health, and lives of millions of people.
Experts emphasize that the crisis can only be overcome through joint action by India, Bangladesh, and Nepal in managing dams and water resources. However, even such measures cannot fully eliminate the consequences of climate change.
