The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has highlighted growing instability in the global water cycle, including persistent groundwater depletion in India, declining terrestrial water storage, drier river systems and accelerating glacier loss. The findings underline the increasing risks to water, food and climate security.

About the State of Global Water Resources Report

What is it?

• The State of Global Water Resources is an annual assessment published by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

• It assesses the availability, distribution and variability of global freshwater resources.

• Over five years, its assessment framework has expanded from 3 to 15 hydrological variables.

• It covers:

• Groundwater

• River discharge

• Terrestrial water storage

• Glaciers

• Soil moisture

• Other components of the hydrological cycle.

Key Findings

1. Rising Groundwater Stress

• Around 34% of monitored groundwater stations recorded below- to much-below-normal levels in 2025.

• This increased from 25% in 2024.

• The trend indicates a growing shift towards groundwater deficits.

2. Persistent Groundwater Depletion in India

• Parts of India experienced persistent groundwater deficits during 2022–2025.

• Over-abstraction remains an important driver.

• The problem is particularly significant in north-western India, where agriculture has historically relied heavily on groundwater irrigation.

3. Declining Terrestrial Water Storage

• Global terrestrial water storage (TWS) has shown a persistent decline since 2014–16.

• Below-normal storage continued in several regions during 2025, including parts of northern India.

4. Drier River Systems

• Around 36% of the global catchment area experienced drier-than-normal conditions.

• 2025 was among the driest years for global river discharge in around 35 years.

5. Accelerating Glacier Loss

• Global glaciers lost around 408 ± 132 gigatonnes (Gt) of mass in 2025.

• This corresponds to approximately 1.1 ± 0.4 mm of sea-level rise.

• It was the fourth consecutive year in which all major glaciated regions recorded net ice loss.

Why is Groundwater Depletion in India Significant?

India is highly dependent on groundwater for:

• Irrigation

• Drinking water

• Domestic requirements

• Industrial activities.

Major Drivers

• Excessive groundwater extraction for irrigation.

• Water-intensive crops.

• Subsidised/free electricity encouraging over-pumping.

• Inefficient irrigation practices.

• Rapid urbanisation.

• Reduced groundwater recharge due to concretisation.

• Increasing climate variability.

Consequences

• Groundwater depletion

• Declining water tables

• Higher extraction costs

• Agricultural stress

• Food & livelihood insecurity

Broader Implications

1. Water Security: Declining groundwater, river discharge and terrestrial water storage reduce reliable freshwater availability.

2. Food Security: Groundwater-dependent irrigation supports agricultural production. Persistent depletion can threaten:

• Crop yields

• Irrigation reliability

• Farmer incomes

• Food security.

3. Climate Resilience: Groundwater, glaciers and terrestrial water storage act as natural buffers during periods of drought and climatic variability. Their depletion reduces the resilience of societies and ecosystems.

4. Himalayan Ecosystem: Glacier loss can initially increase meltwater availability but eventually reduce long-term water availability in glacier-dependent river systems. This has implications for:

• Himalayan ecosystems

• Agriculture

• Hydropower

• Drinking water

• Downstream river basins.

5. Water–Food–Energy Nexus: Water stress can simultaneously affect:

• Agriculture → Food Security

• Hydropower → Energy Security

• Drinking Water → Human Security

• Thus, water insecurity has cross-sectoral implications.

India-Specific Concerns

North-Western India

Groundwater stress is particularly important in regions such as:

• Punjab

• Haryana

• Western Uttar Pradesh

• Rajasthan

where intensive irrigation and water-intensive cropping have contributed to groundwater depletion.

Agricultural Distortions

The combination of MSP-linked cropping patterns + subsidised electricity + flood irrigation can encourage excessive groundwater extraction.

Urban Water Stress

Increasing urbanisation creates additional pressure through:

• Falling recharge

• Rising demand

• Groundwater dependence

• Loss of wetlands and recharge zones.

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Way Ahead

1. Promote Groundwater Governance

• Strengthen groundwater monitoring.

• Regulate excessive extraction.

• Promote aquifer-based management.

2. Improve Irrigation Efficiency

Expand:

• Drip irrigation

• Sprinkler irrigation

• Micro-irrigation

• Precision agriculture.

3. Crop Diversification

Move away from highly water-intensive crops in groundwater-stressed regions. Promote:

• Millets

• Pulses

• Oilseeds

• Less water-intensive crops.

4. Artificial Recharge

Promote:

• Rainwater harvesting

• Recharge wells

• Watershed development

• Wetland restoration

• Urban recharge structures.

5. Reform Water-Energy Incentives

• Rationalise electricity subsidies and encourage energy-efficient groundwater pumping without undermining farmer livelihoods.

6. Integrated River Basin Management

• Water management should move from fragmented administrative approaches towards river-basin and aquifer-level planning.

7. Climate-Resilient Water Management

• Integrate: Groundwater + Surface Water + Glaciers + Soil Moisture + Rainfall into a comprehensive water-security strategy.

Prelims Quick Revision

| Parameter | Key Fact |

| :--- | :--- |

| Report | State of Global Water Resources |

| Publisher | World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) |

| Hydrological variables | 15 |

| Groundwater stations below/much-below normal, 2025 | 34% |

| Same indicator, 2024 | 25% |

| Global catchment area with drier-than-normal conditions | ~36% |

| Glacier mass loss, 2025 | 408 ± 132 Gt |

| Sea-level equivalent | ~1.1 ± 0.4 mm |

| Consecutive years of net glacier loss | 4 years |

| India's persistent groundwater deficit | 2022–25 |

| Major driver in India | Over-abstraction |

Conclusion

• The WMO report demonstrates that the global water crisis is no longer merely a problem of water scarcity, but increasingly one of water-cycle instability. Groundwater depletion, declining terrestrial water storage, drying rivers and glacier loss are interconnected manifestations of changing hydrological systems.

• For India, the priority should be to shift from groundwater extraction to groundwater management, supported by crop diversification, efficient irrigation, aquifer recharge and integrated river-basin planning. Building water-secure and climate-resilient communities will be essential for India's long-term food, livelihood and ecological security.

Secure Answer Writing Practice Question:

“Groundwater depletion, glacier retreat and declining freshwater storage are transforming water insecurity into a major developmental challenge.” Examine the causes and implications of changing global water resources with special reference to India. Suggest a sustainable water-management strategy.