River Droughts in India Increasing Amid Climate Change

A recent study by the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar suggests that synchronized droughts across multiple river basins in India are becoming more frequent due to climate change. This phenomenon poses severe threats to water and food security in the region.

Researchers Vimal Mishra and Dipesh Singh Chuphal highlight that both droughts and the widespread drying of rivers have become common incidents, creating a synchronization of these events across several rivers. Their findings, published in the AGU Advances journal, point to significant implications for the nation's water resources.

The study modelled water flow data from 45 major river gauge stations across India, examining trends from 1200 to 2012. The results showed a notable increase in drought synchronicity from the 20th century onwards, marking it as a critical risk area for future resource management.

(With inputs from agencies.)