Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Environment
Why in News?
Recent UN report, has warned of persistent groundwater decline in India, particularly due to over-extraction exceeding natural recharge.
Global Groundwater Situation
- Persistent groundwater deficits from 2022 to 2025 were documented in the following regions:
- Americas
- Europe
- Middle East
- India
- Southern Africa
- Australia
- Over-abstraction was recognized as a significant contributing factor in multiple regions.
- In 2025, nearly two-thirds of monitored wells globally exhibited conditions that deviated from their historical norms.
- Key findings
- Rivers – The year 2025 ranked among the driest years for global rivers in over 30 years.
- Terrestrial Water Storage – Global terrestrial water storage has exhibited a declining trend since the period 2014 to 2016.
- In 2025, terrestrial water storage in northern India was below normal levels.
Terrestrial Water Storage (TWS) – It is defined as the total water stored on and beneath the land surface, encompassing the following components such as surface water, soil moisture, groundwater, and snow or ice.
It indicates comprehensive freshwater depletion rather than solely groundwater loss.
- Glaciers – For the 4th consecutive year, all major glaciated regions recorded ice-mass loss.
- Freshwater Storage – The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has identified a long-term decline in global freshwater storage.
Reference
Down To Earth | WMO Report on Ground Water
