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This article "Flooding in North India" by Drishti IAS is a comprehensive and timely source of information on the recent flooding in North India. It provides a clear overview of the causes, impact, and response to the flooding. The article is credible, as Drishti IAS is a reputable source of information on current affairs in India. It also includes links to additional sources for further exploration of the topic. Overall, the article offers valuable insights into the flooding situation in North India and is a reliable resource for understanding the issue.

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Flooding in North India

For Prelims: Food Security, Malnutrition, Poverty, Floods, Monsoon, Western Disturbance, El Nino-Southern Oscillation Indian Ocean Dipole , Climate Change National Disaster Management Plan, National Disaster Management Authority, India Meteorological Department , Central Water Commission

For Mains: Causes of Heavy Rainfall in North India, Factors Affecting the Rainfall in India

India is experiencing a series of extreme rainfall events that have caused widespread destruction, landslides, flash floods and deaths in several parts of the country.

The rainfall distribution and intensity have been influenced by various factors, such as the monsoon, the western disturbance, the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and climate change.

What are Causes of Heavy Rainfall in North India?

Interaction between Western Disturbance and the Monsoon Trough:

The heavy rainfall in North India is primarily due to the interaction between a western disturbance (a low-pressure system originating from the Mediterranean region) and the monsoon trough (a low-pressure zone along the monsoon wind belt).

This interaction leads to intense rainfall over regions like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Haryana.

Excess Rainfall and Deficient Distribution:

After experiencing a 10% deficiency in rainfall until the end of June, North India has witnessed a surge in monsoon activity, resulting in a 2% excess rainfall over the country.

Specifically, there is a 59% excess rainfall over northwest India, while peninsular India and east/northeast India have faced rainfall deficiencies of 23% and 17%, respectively.

Synoptic Conditions and Climate Change:

The recent heavy rainfall and flash floods in Himachal Pradesh have been attributed to synoptic conditions similar to the 2013 Uttarakhand floods.
These conditions involve an active monsoon with strong low-level easterly winds bringing ample moisture, coupled with upper-level divergence caused by an eastward-moving trough.

Climate change also plays a role, as it leads to increased heavy rainfall in hilly areas and surroundings due to extra moisture and orographic lifting.

In hilly areas like the Himalayan foothills and the Western Ghats, increased extreme rains occur due to orographic lifting.

The hills obstruct the moisture flow, causing it to accumulate and result in heavy downpours.

Flash Floods and Cloudbursts:

Flash floods caused by cloudbursts and extreme rainfall events are challenging to predict.

Monitoring and forecasting such events require radar systems and close observation of areas prone to flash floods.

Land use changes and development activities may aggravate the severity of flash floods.

What are the Factors Affecting the Rainfall in India?

Monsoon Affecting Rainfall:
The monsoon is a seasonal reversal of winds that brings a humid climate and torrential rainfall to India.

The monsoon typically lasts from June to September, with peak rainfall occurring in July and August.

The Indian Monsoon is caused by a difference in air pressure between the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.

The rainfall distribution in India is impacted by the Thar desert and the Himalayas, as well as temperature and pressure changes over the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the southern part of the Pacific Ocean.

Western Disturbance Affecting Rainfall:

The western disturbance is a low-pressure system that originates over the Mediterranean Sea or West Asia and moves eastward towards India.

It usually affects northwestern India during winter (December to February) and brings snowfall to the Himalayan regions and rainfall to the plains.

However, sometimes it can also interact with the monsoon trough during summer (June to September) and bring heavy rainfall to northern India.

The western disturbance can enhance or suppress the monsoon activity depending on its location, intensity and timing.

When it is located over northwestern India or Pakistan, it can enhance the monsoon activity by providing moisture and instability to the atmosphere.

When it is located over central or eastern India, it can suppress the monsoon activity by creating a high-pressure system that blocks the monsoon winds.

ENSO Affecting Rainfall:

ENSO is a periodic fluctuation of sea surface temperature (SST) and atmospheric pressure over the equatorial Pacific Ocean.

ENSO can affect the rainfall in India by altering the atmospheric circulation patterns over the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the southern part of the Pacific Ocean.

El Nino tends to weaken or delay the onset of the monsoon by creating a high-pressure system over India that blocks the moisture-laden winds from reaching India.

La Nina tends to strengthen or advance the onset of the monsoon by creating a low-pressure system over India that attracts the moisture-laden winds from reaching India.

IOD Affecting Rainfall:

IOD can affect the rainfall in India by modulating the moisture transport and convection over the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

IOD can also affect different regions of India differently depending on its strength, duration and timing.

Positive IOD can increase rainfall over northwestern India in summer and central India in autumn.

Negative IOD can decrease rainfall over northwestern India in summer and increase rainfall over peninsular India in autumn.

Climate Change:

Climate change can affect the rainfall in India by altering the temperature, humidity, pressure, wind and cloud patterns over various scales of time and space.

Climate change can affect the monsoon by changing its onset, duration, intensity and spatial distribution. Some studies suggest that -

Climate change can delay the onset of the monsoon by increasing the land-sea temperature contrast, which inhibits the northward movement of the monsoon winds.

Climate change can advance the onset of the monsoon by increasing the SSTs over the Indian Ocean, which enhances the moisture supply to the atmosphere.

Climate change can increase the frequency and intensity of El Nino events, which can reduce Indian summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR) and increase droughts.

Climate change can increase the frequency and intensity of La Nina events, which can increase ISMR and floods.

Climate change can also affect the orographic rainfall in India by changing the snow cover, glacier melt and soil moisture over the Himalayas and the Western Ghats.

What are the Implications of Heavy Rainfall in India?

Agriculture:

Heavy rainfall and floods can damage crops, soil fertility, irrigation infrastructure and livestock.

They can also affect crop sowing, harvesting, storage and distribution.

Water resources:

Heavy rainfall and floods can replenish groundwater, surface water and soil moisture levels.

They can also improve water quality by flushing out pollutants.

However, they can also cause waterlogging, erosion, sedimentation, landslides, dam breaches and contamination of water sources.

This can lead to water scarcity, water conflicts, waterborne diseases and displacement of people.

Energy:

Heavy rainfall and floods can increase hydropower generation by increasing river flows and reservoir levels.

They can also reduce thermal power generation by affecting coal supply and cooling systems.

However, they can also damage power plants, transmission lines, substations and distribution networks.

This can lead to power outages, blackouts, losses and accidents.

Transportation:
Heavy rainfall and floods can improve navigation by increasing water levels in rivers and lakes.
However, they can also disrupt road, rail, air and water transport by causing landslides, floods, traffic jams, delays, cancellations, accidents and fatalities.

Health:

Heavy rainfall and floods can reduce air pollution by washing away dust particles and aerosols.

They can also reduce heat stress by lowering temperatures and humidity.
However, they can also increase vector-borne diseases.

What are the Government Initiatives to Tackle Flooding?

National Flood Risk Mitigation Project (NFRMP):
It aims at ensuring that arrangements are in place to mobilise the resources and capability for relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction and recovery from disasters besides creating awareness among vulnerable communities.

National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP):
It provides a framework and direction for all phases of disaster management cycle, such as prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery and reconstruction.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA):

It is the apex body for disaster management in India, under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister.

It lays down policies, plans and guidelines for disaster management and coordinates their implementation.

India Meteorological Department (IMD):

It provides rainfall or cyclonic event forecast which is used by all the agencies for preparedness to deal with the floods.

It also issues warnings and advisories for heavy rainfall, flash floods, landslides and cloudbursts.

Central Water Commission (CWC):

It monitors the water levels of major rivers and reservoirs and issues flood forecasts and inflow forecasts.

It also conducts flood damage assessment and flood plain zoning. It also provides technical guidance and assistance to state governments for flood management.

National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC):

It provides satellite-based information for flood monitoring, mapping, damage assessment and relief planning.

It also develops flood inundation models and flood risk maps.

What Should be the Way Forward?

Strengthening the Institutional and Legal Framework:

Strengthening the institutional and legal framework for flood and landslide management at the national, state and local levels.

This includes establishing dedicated agencies or departments for flood and landslide management, enhancing coordination and collaboration among various stakeholders, enforcing regulations and standards for land use, construction, mining, etc., and ensuring accountability and transparency in disaster management activities.

Enhancing the Scientific and Technical Capabilities:
This includes conducting hazard, vulnerability and risk assessment, mapping and zoning of flood and landslide prone areas, developing early warning systems and forecasting models, implementing structural and non-structural mitigation measures, promoting research and innovation, and building human resources and capacities.

Improving the Disaster Preparedness:

Short Term Measures:

Establishing emergency control rooms and communication networks

Conducting drills and mock exercises

Deploying rapid response teams and relief materials

Ensuring timely evacuation and rescue operations

Long Term Measures:

Developing disaster management plans at various levels

Allocating funds and resources

Mobilising community participation and awareness

Analyse the causes and implications of the recent heavy rainfall and flooding in North India.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year's Question (PYQs)
Q. La Nina is suspected to have caused recent floods in Australia. How is La Nina different from El Nino? (2011)

1. La Nina is characterised by an usually cold ocean temperature in the equatorial Indian Ocean whereas El Nino is characterised by unusually warm ocean temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.

2. El Nino has an adverse effect on the south-west monsoon of India but La Nina has no effect on the monsoon climate.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? Ans: (d)
Q. With reference to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines, discuss the measures to be adopted to mitigate the impact of recent incidents of cloudbursts in many places of Uttarakhand. (2016)

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el nino-southern oscillation indian ocean dipole

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climate change national disaster management plan (ndmp)

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An interaction between a western disturbance and the monsoon trough led to extremely heavy rainfall over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Haryana, causing landslides, flash floods, widespread damage to highways and other infrastructure

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From poor sewage management to overflown rivers; why is Punjab flooding this much?

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From poor sewage management to overflown rivers; why is Punjab flooding this much?

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this video explains the entire situation of poor government policy regarding infrastructure, during recent floods, a big part of north India was under water which destroyed agriculture and cities. A sustainable approach to storing this water can help the farmers and save the groundwater along with protecting the area.

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From poor sewage management to overflown rivers; why is Punjab flooding this much?

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Water Crisis of Punjab 2020 | ਡੁੱਬਦਾ ਪੰਜਾਬ

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Water Crisis of Punjab 2020 | ਡੁੱਬਦਾ ਪੰਜਾਬ

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This video is very interesting because of two reasons, firstly the guy who posted this video has a wide audience, especially in urban areas and secondly the name of the video ''sukda Punjab''- means Drying Punjab, which shows the seriousness of this issue, moreover, there are subtitles in this video so anyone with zero knowledge can understand the entire topic, adding to this it also shows the other reasons of groundwater depletion in Punjab.

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Water Crisis of Punjab 2020 | ਡੁੱਬਦਾ ਪੰਜਾਬ

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Haryana receives 59% excess rain in July, Punjab 44%

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Haryana receives 59% excess rain in July, Punjab 44%

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This news article shows the changing weather conditions in northern India where regions are getting more rain which they cannot control due to lack of preparation to fight climate change, these unpredictable rains can destroy the entire Agro production but if government have good data source they can build infrastructure to fight with it and adapt it for their own good.

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August 06, 2023 11:07 am | Updated 11:07 am IST - Chandigarh

Haryana and Punjab, which were recently hit by floods in several parts, logged over 40% excess rains in July, the Meteorological Department here said.

While Haryana recorded 59% excess rainfall, Punjab logged an excess of 44%, it added.

Union Territory Chandigarh, the common capital of both states, received 170% excess rainfall in July, a MeT official told PTI.

As against the normal of 273.2 mm for the period, Chandigarh received 738.7 mm of rainfall. In July, the city even recorded an all-time high of 302.2 mm in a span of 24 hours, the official said.

According to the MeT official, Haryana witnessed 237.1 mm of rainfall in July, compared to its average of 149.1 mm - an excess of 59 per cent.

Over the same period, Punjab recorded 231.8 mm of rainfall, against the normal of 161.4 mm - 44% excess.

None of the districts in Haryana saw deficit rain in July, while Panchkula and Yamunanagar were the wettest districts, the MeT data showed.

Panchkula recorded 681.1 mm of rainfall during the period, as against the normal of 323 mm - 111% excess. Likewise, the rainfall n Yamunanagar stood at 681.1 mm, against the average of 293 mm - 75% excess.

Ambala logged a 75% excess with 513.9 mm rains against 293 mm, while Kurukshetra recorded 276% excess with 521.1 mm rainfall compared to the normal of 138.5 mm.

Other Haryana districts witnessing excess rainfall in July are Panipat (98%), Karnal (97%), Kaithal (92%), and Gurugram (24%).

In Punjab, Ferozepur got 165% more rains, recording 258.2 mm of rainfall. Faridkot received 256.2 mm rains against 107 mm - 139% excess, while Mohali logged 472.6 mm rains against the average of 208.7 mm - an excess of 126%.

Patiala and Rupnagar saw an excess of 71% and 107%.

Among other Punjab districts, Tarn Taran and Jalandhar received 151% and 34% excess rains in July.

However, a few districts in the state witnessed deficient rains in this period. Barnala received 86.6 mm as against a normal of 122.1 mm - deficient by 29%, while Fazilka and Muktsar recorded a deficit of 58% and 60%, the MeT official said.

Notably, the floods last month in several parts of Punjab and Haryana claimed over 80 lives in these states and caused huge damage to crops and property.

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Haryana receives 59% excess rain in July, Punjab 44%

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Flood-hit Chandigarh, Haryana, and Punjab saw 40-59% excess rainfall in July. Chandigarh recorded 170% excess, while Panchkula and Yamunanagar saw 111% and 75% excess, respectively.

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Despite floods, Punjab meets 75% of its basmati sowing target so far

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Despite floods, Punjab meets 75% of its basmati sowing target so far

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this news is about the basmati sowing , a variety of rice known for its less consumption of water which is being promoted by government, it could be a good sign but the article was missing any particular data like what conditions made people to select basmti .

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The state has hitherto managed to meet 75% of its basmati sowing target against considerable odds. Despite heavy floods affecting around 1,472 villages in 19 districts of Punjab, the state has managed to complete basmati sowing on approximately 4.50 lakh hectares of land when the initial target was 6 lakh hectares (for basmati cultivation) this year. The government was expecting 31.67 lakh hectares under rice crop, including non-basmati(paddy) and basmati varieties, this year.

According to field reports from the Department of Agriculture (Punjab), rice sowing has been completed on approximately 30.38 lakh hectares of land this year. Out of this, paddy was sown on around 25.88 lakh hectares before the floods hit the state. The basmati sowing was interrupted because it is typically done 25-30 days after paddy and the floods occurred during this time. The heavy rain had inundated about 2.38 lakh hectares (mostly paddy area) of land in the state during the second week of July.

After the water receded, it was found that paddy on around 1.50 lakh hectares remained intact, that is, it survived. But the crop came a cropper on about 86,500 hectares of land. The majority of the damaged paddy fields are still in standing waters and now re-transplantation is expected on them. Earlier the re-transplantation estimate was 1 lakh hectares, as per the initial reports.

Due to the delay in re-transplantation in flood-affected areas, there might be a decrease in the area under paddy to some extent this year. Some farmers may opt for basmati, a short-duration crop, in areas where re-transplantation is required. Additionally, farmers have been advised to consider growing other short-duration crops like pulses, but many prefer paddy and basmati due to the remaining period of rainy season, which is suitable for the crop except during floods.

The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Doaba has suggested that farmers must consider cultivating the year-long sugarcane crop, with its sowing season starting in September. The crop is recommended as it can withstand floods for longer durations compared to other crops, said an office-bearer of the organisation.

Speaking to The Indian Express, BKU Doaba general secretary Satnam Singh Sahni said that sugarcane is an annual crop and farmers can do intercropping with it till the time it gains a certain height. "Cultivating sugarcane crop is more advisable even in flood-prone areas of the state, as the crop can withstand floods for more days vis-a-vis other crops and it will also help in the much-needed diversification (from paddy to other crops)," Satnam Singh Sahni said, adding that the government must do an analysis on it and save the farmers from heavy losses due to crop damage.

Though a large area under paddy is not recommended in Punjab as it is the major cause of the depleting water table in the state, this crop is farmers' first love as there is a market for it. Basmati is always recommended but its fluctuating prices deter farmers from growing it in large areas.

The major basmati-growing districts in Punjab include Amritsar, Fazilka, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur, while high paddy cultivation is recorded in districts like Sangrur, Patiala, and Ludhiana. An agriculture department officer said that notwithstanding the floods, Punjab is expected to cultivate around 25 lakh hectares of paddy (excluding basmati) this year, despite the need to curtail rice area from 30 lakh hectares to 20 lakh hectares.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Dr Gurvinder Singh, the Director of Punjab Agriculture Department, said that the final figures for paddy and basmati cultivation will be determined once re-transplantation is carried out in the flood-affected areas. He expressed optimism about an increase in basmati cultivation this year.

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Despite floods, Punjab meets 75% of its basmati sowing target so far

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According to field reports from the Department of Agriculture (Punjab), rice sowing has been completed on approximately 30.38 lakh hectares of land this year.

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Order judicial probe into ‘man-made flood crisis in Punjab’: Akali Dal to Gov

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Order judicial probe into ‘man-made flood crisis in Punjab’: Akali Dal to Gov

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This news article shows the blame game normally we see in countries like India , where political parties will blame those parties who are in power for their policy and efforts, but when i was reading this i was thinking that what if this is real thing , if these are man made floods then who should take responsibility ? Higher authorities should have proper climatological information for these kinds of disasters.

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Punjab proposes 6 small dams to control flooding caused by Ghaggar

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Punjab proposes 6 small dams to control flooding caused by Ghaggar

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Ghaggar river is the main culprit of floods in lower parts of punjab , it is a seasonal river eventhough this river is causing damage to crops every year but governmet still lacks a policy to control this river and store the water for irrigation purpose , it can increase the recharge of ground water.

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Ghaggar, a rain-fed river, has once again wreaked havoc on thousands of acres of agricultural land and damaged properties in hundreds of villages spanning across Mohali, Patiala, Mansa, and Sangrur districts of Punjab, as well as neighbouring Haryana, due to breaches in the embankments and overflowing caused by its narrow watercourse at several places.

To control the river's flow and to avert future floods, the Punjab drainage department has proposed construction of around six small dams at various locations, mostly within Haryana.

Punjab, which will bear the construction costs, will also get the benefits of these dams. Sources in the drainage wing of the Punjab Water Resources department said that Ghaggar river narrows significantly at several points, leading to increased water levels and spillage during the rainy season, exacerbated by the influx of water from several local rivers that flow into it. A senior officer from the Water Resources department said, "We are proposing small dams at six locations, starting from the Tangri river, which flows into Ghaggar, till the gurdwara in Makror Sahib in Sangrur and other locations."

He added that Ghaggar is a monsoon- fed, non-perennial river. Heavy monsoon rain in its catchment area - Mohali, Chandigarh, Panchkula, Ambala, Rajpura, Patiala, and Sangrur - results in the accumulation of water in the river. Additionally, its tributaries Tangri and Markanda also contribute to its water volume.

"Besides the construction of dams, improper cleaning of its drains, tributaries, the river itself hinders its flow," sources from the drainage department said.

Officials from the department added that the river causes severe hardships for villages in Punjab and Haryana and both the states should collaborate to find a permanent solution to the frequent flooding. They said that installing proper dams along the entire river and constructing ring bunds in the villages that face flooding due to Ghaggar would help reduce losses. Widening of the river at various points is also necessary, they added.

Farmers of the affected villages due to Ghaggar floods said that even a little above normal rain led to overflow Ghaggar and their fields get inundated every alternate year. Several attempts were made to contact water resources and mining minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer but he could not be reached for a comment.

Ghaggar, which originates from Dagshai village in Himachal Pradesh's Solan district, flows through Haryana and Punjab and finally ends up in Rajasthan. The river and its tributaries, Markanda and Tangri, pass through Kalka, Panchkula, Ambala, and Kaithal (in Haryana) before entering Punjab's Patiala and Sangrur districts. It then goes to Sirsa in Haryana, returns near Sardulgarh in Punjab, and ultimately enters Rajasthan, where it dries up.

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Punjab proposes 6 small dams to control flooding caused by Ghaggar

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To control the river's flow and to avert future floods, the Punjab drainage department has proposed construction of around six small dams at various locations, mostly within Haryana.

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Flash floods: Punjab paying price for unplanned property development

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Flash floods: Punjab paying price for unplanned property development

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recent floods in punjab have destroyed major portion of paddy crop but it was the first time when i got to know about the news that equal damage has been faced by the urban areas as well , where the main reason for the damage was unplanned develpoment, especially in cities

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Chandigarh
After 1993, Punjab is again witnessing the same fear of losing their loved ones and assets to flash floods across the state. Incessant rains over hills have swollen the rivulets joining inside Punjab and affected people's lives in an unprecedented manner. The state government is yet to assess the losses so far in the state. Himachal Pradesh has also suffered massive losses, and is trying to limp back to normal life.
"In Punjab, in some areas, people constructed their houses within the river bed and this has proved devastating for them now. Roads were deliberately damaged to release the water. Initial assessment reveals that maximum damage to roads has been reported in Ludhiana district where around 20 rural roads and small bridges in rural areas have been damaged," an official said. The places where people are suffering the most from flash floods are in river beds-be it in Haryana near the Kaushalaya Dam where builders built multi-storied flats or in Punjab where people took dry river beds for granted and built their houses there. As a result, there is no sewage outlet planned, and the flow of water is stuck there and is not receding.
The Central government has provided Rs 180.40 crore as disaster management fund to Himachal Pradesh and Rs 218 crore to Punjab, while the estimate of losses in Himachal is over Rs 200 crore.
At least 150 rural roads and 10 small bridges have been damaged in floods in Punjab in the past few days, as per the initial assessment by the state Public Works Department (PWD). The PWD assessment also added that there has not been any report of major damage to any private or government main buildings yet in the state. "The exact damage cannot be assessed at this stage as our officers are busy with rescue operations. However, we have received around 80 reports from our ground staff. A complete assessment will be done in a couple of days," said a senior PWD official on the condition of anonymity.
Another senior official said that till now, except damage to a district road in Garshankar in Hoshiarpur and a small bridge collapse due to flooding, there has been no reports of major incident of any main road getting damaged.
"Various roads in rural areas have been shut for traffic in the district. Nearly 65 roads are said to have been affected by the floods, especially in the Machiwara area," an official added. In Hoshiarpur, 13 link roads are said to be damaged. In Ropar, an assessment is still underway. Here many roads, including the main road, connecting Rupnagar to Chamkaur Sahib, remained suspended for traffic on Sunday.
In Mohali, the maximum damage to infrastructure in rural areas was witnessed in Dera Bassi and Mullanpur areas, along the Shivalik foothills. Traffic on Dera Bassi-Barwala road was affected on a nearly 7 km stretch. Similarly, the road network in Patiala district has also been damaged with many roads, including Patiala-Dakala Road remaining suspended for traffic. Traffic from a few roads was diverted because of the overflow of water, a PWD official added.
During three days, 5161.5 mm of rain has been recorded in the state. All the rivers of Punjab are in spate. More than 13,000 people have been evacuated from the severe affected areas with the help of NDRF. While eight people have lost their lives due to floods, many milch animals have also lost their lives due to floods. About nine people have been admitted to hospitals in different districts for treatment. Three people are reported missing. More than 7,500 medical staff have been deployed at different places. And on Tuesday, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann reviewed the flood relief works.
Medicines worth Rs 50,000 per district have been procured and sent to senior veterinary officers of Ropar, Patiala, Ludhiana, Mohali, Fatehgarh Sahib, Moga, Jalandhar, Ferozepur, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran and Sangrur districts, so that the health of the animals can be taken care of. Apart from this, rapid response teams of veterinary doctors and other staff have been constituted and deployed in flood-affected areas.
If required, arrangements have also been made for fodder for animals. The health department has also issued grants to hospitals to save human lives. One person has died in Ropar, two in Fatehgarh Sahib, one in Hoshiarpur, two in Mohali and one in SBS Nagar. One person has been reported missing in Moga, one in Mohali and one in Jalandhar due to floods.

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Flash floods: Punjab paying price for unplanned property development - The Sunday Guardian Live

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Chandigarh After 1993, Punjab is again witnessing the same fear of losing their loved ones and assets to flash floods across the state. Incessant rains

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Dream come true, farmers of Punjab get canal water after decades: Water Resources Minister

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Dream come true, farmers of Punjab get canal water after decades: Water Resources Minister

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This press conference by the Punjab state water resource minister where claimed that they are doing their best to provide water to farmers through canals which will save water and boost agriculture in the region. I believe it is an excellent step, but they should focus on building more canals and utilizing modern methods of irrigation like drip irrigation and encourage farmers to adopt those new ways. The communication type was very formal as the minister was avoiding some questions and the answers were more paper based.

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Dream come true, farmers of Punjab get canal water after decades: Water Resources Minister

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Rapid groundwater depletion threatens Pakistan food security - officials

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Rapid groundwater depletion threatens Pakistan food security - officials

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The seriousness of this news forced me to use this article as recently Pakistan faced floods which destroyed a major portion of crop which was important for its food security now due to depleting underground water farmers are leaving farming which will make this condition worse as Groundwater supplies 90 percent of domestic water in rural areas of Pakistan and plays a crucial role in agriculture
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PAKPATTAN, Pakistan (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Until recently, Ghulam Mustafa made a living growing sugarcane, rice, barley and wheat on his 10-acre farm in Punjab province.

But these days he is struggling. The water available in wells in the area is dwindling, and the cost of pumping it to his crops is rising. Like many other farmers in the area, Mustafa, 51, now plans to cultivate only half his land and leave the rest for his livestock.

"The groundwater level in our area has gone down around 15 to 20 feet in the last five to six years," he said. "And unfortunately it continues to decline each year."

Across Punjab province and two districts of neighboring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, groundwater supplies are depleting at 16 to 55 centimetres (6 to 21 inches) a year, according to a study carried out by the International Waterlogging and Salinity Research Institute (IWASRI), part of the Pakistani government's Water and Power Development Authority.

Efforts by farmers to find more water are only exacerbating the problem. Muhammad Saeed, director at IWASRI, said that 42 percent of the land in Punjab is irrigated using wells and the excessive pumping of groundwater is quickly lowering the water table.

Mustafa, for instance, said he must deepen his well in Pakpattan district almost every year to get enough water for irrigation. The deeper his well gets, the harder his generator has to work to pump out the water - and that uses more diesel fuel.

The farmer's monthly fuel bill for his pump has increased from 5,000 rupees ($49) to 7,000 rupees ($68) in just the last year.

"Pakistan lacks a water recharge system in the area, as we cannot get water from the Sutlej and Beas rivers under the Indus Water Treaty with India," Saeed said. That water-sharing treaty, signed in 1960, divides the Indus River system equally between India and Pakistan, giving each country exclusive use of three of the river's tributaries.

"In the near future, farmers will no longer be able to grow water-intensive crops like sugarcane and rice," Saeed predicted.

THREAT TO FOOD SECURITY

According to the 2010 agricultural census carried out by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, almost 64 percent of the country's population lives in rural areas and earns a living from agricultural activities such as crop cultivation, livestock rearing, and transportation of agricultural products to market.

At present, half of Pakistan's population is food insecure and if the current trend of water depletion continues in Punjab and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa - two regions that are home to 80 percent of Pakistan's farming population - food production and farming income will suffer, said Abid Qaiyum Suleri, executive director of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute, an independent non-profit organisation in Islamabad.

"The availability and accessibility of food may become difficult for over 60 percent of the populace in the next 10 years if immediate steps aren't taken to recharge the aquifer," he said.

According to the IWASRI study, about 145 million acre-feet of water flows through Pakistan each year, but the country's existing storage capacity is only 14 million acre-feet, meaning it can only store enough water to last 30 days. The international standard is 120 days.

LESS WATER, MORE FOOD?

Improving water storage will be important. But Suleri believes another way to combat the growing water shortage is to teach farmers how to effectively irrigate crops with less water.

"The government should introduce water-efficient seed varieties in water-stressed areas and train farmers on using drip irrigation and sprinkle irrigation to save the scarce resource," he said.

Pakistan's wheat farmers have lost over 1.5 million tonnes of their crop this year due to erratic rainfall, hailstorms and water shortages, said Pervaiz Amir, country director for the Pakistan Water Partnership.

He suggests the government should work to artificially recharge groundwater in water-short areas by building structures to capture water during the flood season and hold it in place, allowing it to percolate into the soil.

Like Suleri of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute, Amir also believes the government needs to help show farmers how to more efficiently use limited water, to boost food production while protecting water sources.

"The government should regulate indiscriminate groundwater extraction by creating water (protection) zones and introducing water-saving technology in the agriculture sector to boost food security," he said.

For farmers like Mustafa in Pakpattan, solutions to Pakistan's shrinking water supply cannot come soon enough. He worries he will lose everything if levels of canal water and groundwater in the area keep decreasing.

"I fear that my whole farm may turn into a desert in next 10 years if the water scarcity continues at the same alarming pace," he said.

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Rapid groundwater depletion threatens Pakistan food security - officials

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Until recently, Ghulam Mustafa made a living growing sugarcane, rice, barley and wheat on his 10-acre farm in Punjab province.

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Defying advisory, Punjab farmers water fields for paddy

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Defying advisory, Punjab farmers water fields for paddy

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This news is showing that although the administration is doing something to prevent farmers to wet their fields, this article shows the ignorance of farmers where they are not taking the advice of agriculture experts seriously and still using same dates to start their paddy season.

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Accelerating Rate Of Groundwater Depletion In Punjab, Worries Farmers And Experts

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Accelerating Rate Of Groundwater Depletion In Punjab, Worries Farmers And Experts

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The article "Accelerating Rate of Groundwater Depletion in Punjab, worries farmers and experts" highlights the major threat to India's food security if Punjab's groundwater goes dry. The article suggests phasing out paddy and remodelling British-era canal systems to improve canal-based irrigation techniques as possible solutions. Punjab is still using old canal system which was developed by British before independence, but after green revolution no new canal was built and the present canals are in bad condition . which is forcing farmers to use ground water.

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A National Green Tribunal (NGT) monitoring committee announced recently that Punjab's groundwater will drop below 300 meters by the year 2039.

Punjab's central and southern districts, such as Barnala, Bathinda, Fatehgarh Sahib, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Moga, SAS Nagar, Pathankot, Patiala, and Sangrur, are among the most affected as the average yearly rate of fall of groundwater levels works out to be approximately 0.49 meter per year.

While agriculture experts and environmentalists suggest phasing out the paddy crop, as one of the main solutions for the groundwater crisis, farmers expect the assured purchase of the alternative crops planted as a replacement for paddy.

A 2020 block-wise groundwater resources assessment by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) found that most of the districts in Punjab had over-exploited the groundwater levels. In some districts, the groundwater level was marked as critical.

Groundwater extraction in Punjab has already reached 150-200 meters in most places in central Punjab. If the present depletion continues, Punjab's groundwater is expected to drop below 300 meters by 2039, as per CGWB. Experts warn of a major threat to India's food security if Punjab's groundwater goes dry. Phasing out paddy and remodeling British-era canal systems to improve canal-based irrigation techniques are being recommended as possible solutions.

Last month, a monitoring committee of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) reviewed the district environment plan of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district (formerly Nawanshahr district). The committee laid stress on the depleting groundwater levels and announced that usable groundwater is available till the threshold limit of 300 meters (1000 feet), beneath the ground.

Balbir Singh Seechewal, a noted environmentalist and member of the NGT panel that met last month, told Mongabay-India that their prediction about 'groundwater depletion in 17 years was not based on hearsay. It came from Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)'s 2019 report which studied Punjab's groundwater situation till 2017. The report states that if the present rate of extraction continues, within the next 22 years, the state's usable groundwater will vanish.

"Five years have already passed and there has been no drop in Punjab's groundwater depletion rate. We are left with 17 years. The situation is very delicate. The successive governments have not given the serious and immediate attention this issue deserves. The time has come to stop this; otherwise, no one can stop Punjab from getting perished," Seechewal told Mongabay-India. As per the report, the average yearly rate of fall of groundwater levels works out to be approximately 0.49 meters/year.
To read top environmental news from India, please visit https://earth5r.org
Source: Mongabay

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Accelerating Rate of Groundwater Depletion in Punjab, Worries Farmers and Experts

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Environmental News from India: A National Green Tribunal (NGT) monitoring committee announced recently that Punjab's groundwater will drop below 300 meters by the year 2039.Punjab's central and southern districts, such as Barnala, Bathinda, Fatehgarh Sahib, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Moga, SAS Nagar, Pathankot, Patiala, and Sangrur, are among the most affected as

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Removing Groundwater is Affecting the Earth’s Axis

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Removing Groundwater is Affecting the Earth’s Axis

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While reading this news article I came to know about the seriousness of this issue , I used to believe that this is just farmer issue but Between 1993 and 2010, excessive groundwater extraction caused the Earth's poles to shift towards the east at a rate of 4.36 centimetres per year. Humans extracted approximately 2,150 gigatons of groundwater during this period, leading to a polar shift of 80 centimetres towards the east. This shift has implications for global sea level rise and highlights the need for sustainable management of groundwater resources. The study emphasizes that the redistribution of groundwater is the largest contributor to the drift of the rotational pole.The language used in the article is scientific and technical, presenting information based on research and analysis. The article draws from various sources, including research papers, reports, and interviews, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the issue. This makes it a good source of information as it is based on credible and reliable sources. The use of scientific language ensures accuracy and precision in conveying the complex concepts related to groundwater depletion and its effects on the Earth's axis. Overall, the article offers valuable insights into the connection between groundwater depletion and the Earth's axis, making it a reliable resource for understanding this phenomenon

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The growing demand for water on Earth is resulting in widespread global changes. Groundwater depletion has created adverse changes to the immediate environment such as land subsidence, deterioration of water quality, and the draining of underground water aquifers.

What scientists are also discovering is that the rate and magnitude of pumping water from underground sources has planetary-scale effects, specifically tilting the Earth's axis enough so that it is now measurable by scientists.

What is the Earth's axis?

The Earth has a natural tilt at about 23.5 degrees and spins at about 1,000 miles per hour on its north-south axis. The axis is critical for seasonal weather change and other climate-environmental effects that enable our planet's normal cycles.

How much groundwater has been extracted?

Recent research, however, shows that this is now changing, with once again human activity affecting this change. Scientists now report that so much groundwater is being pumped out of the ground that this affects how the Earth spins on its axis and contributes to continual change.

Between 1993-2010, a 2010 study calculated that 2,150 gigatons of water has been extracted from inside the Earth, or the equivalent of about 6 millimeters of total ocean rise if that water was placed on the Earth's surface oceans.

How groundwater extraction affects polar motion

To understand the impact of groundwater depletion, the study looked at polar motion. Polar motion is the movement or shift in the Earth's rotational axis relative to its surface, often measured as the drift of the North and South poles.

Researchers modeled polar drift with and without groundwater extraction factored in. Without accounting for the 2,150 gigatons of groundwater redistribution calculated from a 2010 study, the model incorrectly calculated polar drift by or 4.3 centimeters (1.7 inches) of drift per year as shown by the dashed blue line in figure (b) below.

The change in Earth's axis is affecting sea level rise

Scientists have now shown that Earth's pole has drifted towards 64.16°E at a speed of 4.36 cm/yr from 1993-2010. This means that each year we are now drifting further away from Earth's previous axis tilt.

This has occurred mainly by so much water being extracted that it now contributes to overall sea level rise through redistribution of that water back into the oceans. Changes in pressure and mass of water between underground reservoirs and the surface change the overall mass of water and its contribution to Earth's tilt.

Earth's axis can be measured using radio telescope observations of immobile objects in space. Changes in mass enable the Earth to shift its axis; as more mass is placed on the Earth then that can move the Earth's axis.

Typically this is temporary, as mass reverts back to its previous level once mass is redistributed or evolves from one form to another. The movement of molten rock between the Earth's crust and core does also change the overall mass structure of the Earth.

How moving water from underground to the Earth's surface has affected tilt

Modeling now shows that groundwater extraction also has a significant contribution to long-term mass change on the Earth. The shift in water from inside the Earth to the outside has enabled a total of 78.48 centimeters of axis shift between 1993-2010.

To make the overall calculation on how groundwater contributes to Earth's tilt and its effect on total sea level rise, atmospheric pressure, ocean bottom pressure, artificial reservoirs behind dams, polar ice, mountain glacier mass, wind, current, and groundwater data had to be determined from various databases and estimates made from models. The global hydrological model PCR-GLOBWB was used to estimate total water extraction from underground reservoirs.

What is also potentially worrisome is that groundwater extraction is also significantly impacting sea level rise because of this redistribution of water. Overall, the study was constrained by the fact it only went back to 1993, whereas major water extraction from underground reservoirs began earlier in the twentieth century.

This implies historical trends and total contribution of groundwater could be studied if historical water extraction estimates can be made to incorporate their potential effect on Earth's axis tilt by accounting for this factor in modeling that also incorporates other factors, such as molten lava change between the Earth's crust and core.

Where groundwater pumping is happening

The overwhelming majority of this extraction also appears to be coming from India and the American West, where now decades long drought and population and agricultural growth has contributed to large-scale pumping of underground water.

A study published in 2017 found that between 2000 and 2020, groundwater increased 22%. Groundwater intensive crops such as wheat, rice, sugar crops, maize (corn), and cotton are the major drivers of this increase. This study also found that almost all of the world's breadbaskets (i.e. the prime agriculture areas of USA, Mexico, the Middle East and North Africa, India, Pakistan and China) are in regions that overly rely on aquifers for water.

Current water restrictions on underground water resources are not as strong compared to those restrictions imposted on extracting surface water. The implication of this study is that there may need to be more restrictions or alternative practices given the contribution underground water is having on overall sea level rise and the tilting of the Earth's axis.

Furthermore, in areas such as West Texas, underground reservoirs are rapidly diminishing, leading to the loss of this water resources and effects such as the formation of sinkholes are increasing.

In California, over 5000 wells have dried out in the past decade, giving a sense of scale and how underground water extraction is beginning to have deleterious impact on groundwater resources as well as on overall sea level rise.

The tilting of the axis is also important for producing accurate navigation systems such as GPS. The new study now allows us to factor in groundwater as a new impact on Earth's tilt so that future navigation could account for what Earth's tilt might be. The tilt of the Earth also has important implications for climate and climate future modeling.

Rising global temperatures may also contribute to Earth's wobble, as glaciers melt, while the construction of dams are also having an effect. Overall, there needs to now be more study on different contributing factors to demonstrate how human activities may affect the Earth's axis and how the Earth spins.

References

[1] For more on how the Earth has now begun to tilt due to underground water extraction, see: Seo K, Ryu D, Eom J, et al. (2023) Drift of Earth's Pole Confirms Groundwater Depletion as a Significant Contributor to Global Sea Level Rise 1993-2010. Geophysical Research Letters 50(12): e2023GL103509. DOI: 10.1029/2023GL103509 and https://news.agu.org/press-release/weve-pumped-so-much-groundwater-that-weve-nudged-the-earths-spin/

[2] Estimates on groundwater extraction were made based on this study: Wada, Y., van Beek, L. P. H., van Kempen, C. M., Reckman, J. W. T. M., Vasak, S., & Bierkens, M. F. P. (2010). Global depletion of groundwater resources. Geophysical Research Letters, 37(20), L20402. https://doi.org/10.1029/2010gl044571

[3] An article discussing the implications of Earth's axis change can be seen here: https://thehill.com/policy/equilibrium-sustainability/4075087-human-society-is-shifting-the-tilt-of-the-earth/.

Further resources

Adhikari, S., & Ivins, E. R. (2016). Climate-driven polar motion: 2003-2015. Science advances, 2(4), e1501693. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1501693

Buis, A., & Rasmussen, C. (2016, April 8). NASA study solves two mysteries about wobbling earth. NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-study-solves-two-mysteries-about-wobbling-earth

Dalin, C., Wada, Y., Kastner, T., & Puma, M. J. (2017). Groundwater depletion embedded in international food trade. Nature, 543(7647), 700-704. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature21403

Konikow, L. F. (2013). Groundwater depletion in the United States (1900-2008) (p. 63). Reston, Virginia: US Department of the Interior, US Geological Survey. https://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2013/5079/

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Removing Groundwater is Affecting the Earth's Axis

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Researchers has shown that the enormous amount of groundwater being pumped is changing the Earth's tilt and increasing sea level rise.

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Inertia or economics? Why Punjab’s farmers can’t move beyond rice and wheat

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Inertia or economics? Why Punjab’s farmers can’t move beyond rice and wheat

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The first question comes in mind while reading the current situation or groundwater in Punjab is that why? Why farmers are still sowing paddy. I think this news article provide a good answer to that question. Spoilers ahead ……... absence of a market. without a proper market for other crops farms will hesitate to diversify their farming.
Moreover,the article "Inertia or economics? Why Punjab's farmers can't move beyond rice and wheat" by Shweta Saini and Siraj Hussain discusses the challenges faced by farmers in Punjab and Haryana in diversifying their crops beyond rice and wheat. The article presents a range of plausible reasons for this reluctance, including economic factors, government subsidies, and cultural traditions. The language used in the article is clear and concise, making it accessible to a wide audience. The article draws from various sources, including research papers and interviews with experts, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the issue. This makes it a good source of information as it is based on credible and reliable sources. The article highlights the importance of diversification for sustainable agriculture and the challenges faced by farmers in achieving this goal. Overall, the article offers valuable insights into the issue of crop diversification in Punjab and Haryana, making it a reliable resource for understanding this phenomeno

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Every time we visit Punjab, we ask farmers why they stick with the rice-wheat cropping pattern year on year. Especially when most are witnessing receding underground water levels, forcing them to deepen their borewells each year during the paddy season. One answer from a young farmer stayed with us. He said, if you give us profitable and stable markets, we will produce whatever you want us to produce.

It is well established that Punjab's farmers are hardworking and enterprising. Most of them today acknowledge that the underground water line is receding and their costs of cultivating, particularly paddy, are rising. Families of many in rural Punjab continue to suffer from severe illness due to high dosages of fertilisers and chemical pesticides applied to crops that are then found in the soil and even water. So, why is it that, despite the large-scale suffering and continued advisory from experts over the last two decades, Punjab's farmers have not diversified away from water-guzzling paddy? Is it inertia or is there economics at play?

In a series of articles, we will explore the diversification plans of Punjab and Haryana farmers, both of whom face similar challenges of depleting water tables. We start with this article where we list a few plausible reasons why the Punjab farmers are reluctant to move away from rice and wheat.
Also Read: Punjab isn't the only reason for excessive kharif procurement. Just look at Telangana numbers
Crop diversification in Punjab

Let's start with some facts about the existing level of diversification in Punjab.

Punjab's gross cropped area (GCA) was about 78.4 lakh hectares in 2019-20. About 93.5 per cent of this area was under 10 crops/crop categories (Figure 1), with 84 per cent under rice and wheat alone. Other major crops include cotton, maize, sugarcane, and vegetables (potatoes).

In the 16 years between 2003-04 and 2019-20, Punjab's GCA decreased by about 69,000 hectares. Despite the fall, the area under rice and wheat has increased. This is at the expense of maize, gram, tur, sugarcane, mustard and cotton whose GCA have fallen. In this same period, cropped areas under vegetables (mainly potatoes) and fruits (mainly citrus) have increased marginally.

Clearly, the centrality of rice and wheat only appears to have strengthened over time. However, a micro look at recent years reveals interesting patterns. Between 2018-19 and 2020-21, the area under paddy has reduced (from 31.03 lakh hectares to 27.36 lakh ha). Within paddy, the cropped area of basmati rice (which consumes less water) has increased (from 5.11 lakh ha to 6.50 lakh ha). Even the area under cotton has started to rise (from 2.67 lakh ha to 5.01 lakh ha). As a substitute for paddy, maize has been expanding in the kharif season (from 1.09 lakh ha in 2018-19 to 2.42 lakh ha in 2020-21).

This still does not take away the fact that rice and wheat continue to dominate Punjab agriculture.

The first reason for such preference for rice and wheat is the level of profits. As per the cost of cultivation data from the Ministry of Agriculture, in 2018-19, an average Punjab farmer earned about Rs 75,887 per hectare from paddy (un-milled rice) and about Rs 64,975 per hectare from wheat (Table 1). Together from a paddy-wheat crop combination, a farmer would have earned about Rs 1.41 lakh per hectare (Table 2) (as per Agriculture Census 2015-16, Punjab's average operational landholding size is about 3.6 hectares). Interestingly, no other crop combination comes even closer to this level of average earnings, unless one starts cultivating sugarcane. However, sugarcane being a water-guzzler crop, won't solve the issue of the receding water table. So, for a profit-maximising farmer, no other crop combination appears more lucrative than the popular rice-wheat pattern, thus triggering the primary reluctance towards diversification.

The second important reason for preferring the wheat-rice combination is the stability and predictability of the incomes they offer. Unlike other states and other crops, Punjab's rice and wheat earn stable and reasonably rising incomes each year attributable to the government's Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations, due to which almost the entire crop brought by farmers to the APMCs (Agricultural Produce & Livestock Market Committee) is purchased at assured prices. Compared to this, other crops offer relatively unstable and volatile incomes.

Take, for example, the case of kinnow. For several decades, Punjab farmers, especially in the semi-arid zones in Fazilka, Muktsar, Bathinda and Hoshiarpur districts have been growing kinnow. The area under the citrus fruit has increased from about 19,000 hectares in 2004-05 to about 58,000 hectares in 2020-21. There are two major problems with its marketing: One, due to a low shelf-life (about 20 days) farmers often resort to distressed sales of the crop upon its harvest.

Usually, such sales fetch the lowest prices of the season; and second, there are huge inter-year fluctuations in prices. During the farmers' agitation in 2020-21, the average price realised by the farmers was Rs 6-8 per kg, while in the previous year 2019-20, the farmers sold it for Rs 18-20 per kg.

Not just fruits, even in the case of basmati, there are large variations in market prices. In some years the farmers could sell it at Rs 2,500-3,000 per quintal whereas, in others, the prices fall as low as Rs 1,100-2,000 per quintal.

While the market risk of prices does emerge as one of the most important reasons for behavioural inertia, there are more.

In the case of kinnow, even though there is demand in some foreign countries, Punjab farmers are unable to tap its potential due to the distance from a seaport and the closure of land routes via Pakistan. So, while Pakistan is able to export most of its kinnow crop, Punjab misses this window of opportunity.

Farmers are also fearful of pests, diseases, untimely rains, high temperatures, hail, etc. For example, the cotton crop was damaged by mealybugs in 2007, whitefly in 2015 and pink bollworm in 2021. Unlike wheat and paddy, the input cost for cotton is also higher.

In addition to these factors, the farmers also consider the availability and wages of labour and the extent of mechanisation in a crop. It appears that labour-intensive crops are not attractive to Punjab farmers.
Also Read: Punjab's frustration & anger is rooted in its steep decline, now visible in farmers' protests
What does the government do?

For four decades, Punjab's wheat and paddy have received almost exclusive support from successive governments, researchers, and investors. Not surprisingly, from agricultural extension systems to research, from storage to logistics to investments, almost every breakthrough is skewed towards rice and wheat. Most other crops are waiting for similar focus and successes in use of technology. But why is the Punjab government unable to identify and fill these gaps?

Punjab does not have to look outside. It has exemplary examples of diversification within its borders. Malerkotla, dominated by small farmers, is a major centre for the cultivation of vegetables. The produce is sold in Jammu and Kashmir, other parts of Punjab, Delhi and other states of North India. Its profitability can be studied so that replicable policy interventions can be identified and implemented in other parts of Punjab.
Also Read: How Bihar recorded growth but Punjab lagged behind and why farm reforms are important
Farmers' dilemma

Picture this, if you or I have lived our lives on an assured income every year for 55 years (since 1965-67 - years of the Green Revolution) and have an ecosystem supporting it, and then if one day, someone told us that the income assurance is going and we will have to face headwinds of volatile incomes, how would we react? Especially when we are ageing and our children do not want to continue in the same business?

Punjab suffers from its past glory. The time is opportune to trigger yet another agricultural revolution in the state. One that takes Punjab higher up the ladder of value-addition and its produce to other parts of the country and global shores. We should bring back the glory of Punjab farmers who have provided food security to India for more than four decades.
Shweta Saini is an independent researcher and Siraj Hussain is a Senior Fellow at the Indian Council for International Economic Relations (ICRIER). Views are personal.
(Edited by Srinjoy Dey)

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Inertia or economics? Why Punjab's farmers can't move beyond rice and wheat

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Diversification is critical for Punjab and Haryana farmers who face the challenge of depleting water tables. We need another agricultural revolution.

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This year, Punjab fails to achieve even 1/10th target under DSR

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This year, Punjab fails to achieve even 1/10th target under DSR

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| DSR ‘Direct Sowing of Rice’ scientifically it is the best short-term method to save the groundwater, but one can easily read that farmers are not willing to participate in this project and government is not willing to enforce this technique. Out of 3 million hectare (around 7.5 million acre) only 33,517 acers of land is under this technique of sowing peddy.

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While Punjab had set a target of bringing around five lakh acre of land under the 'Direct Sowing of Rice (DSR)' technique this year, the state has failed to achieve even one-tenth of the target so far. This is concerning as the ideal period for implementing DSR in the state is coming to an end. Last year, only 1.71 lakh acre of land was cultivated using DSR in Punjab.

According to the Department of Agriculture, the field reports collected from all the districts of the state showed that Punjab has managed to bring only 33,517 acre of land under DSR till June 12, and the recommended period for implementing this technique is till the first half of June.

With DSR, which is also known as T-DSR or Tar-wattar Direct Seeding of Rice, 15 to 20 per cent water saving is expected in paddy cultivation.

Even though five lakh acres may not seem like a large target, considering the total area cultivated with water-guzzling paddy in Punjab, which is 75 lakh acre, the state is still falling behind.

Every year, Punjab records over 30 lakh hectare (around 75 lakh acre) cultivation under paddy, including approximately 4 to 5 lakh hectare of Basmati rice and the remaining 25 to 26 lakh hectares of non-Basmati paddy.
Muktsar Sahib has recorded the highest area with 9,966 acres cultivated till June 12 under DSR. Fazilka follows with 7,687 acre, and Bathinda is in third place with 2,840 acre cultivation. Among the lowest area under DSR, Fatehgarh Sahib is at the bottom with only 55 acre. Ropar records 57.58 acre, and in Pathankot only around 80 acre was cultivated.

Other districts have recorded the following DSR areas: Ferozepur -2,238.75 acres, Amritsar -2238.64 acres, Ludhiana - 1458.46 acre, Patiala - 1187.44 acre, Faridkot - 897.38 acre, Mansa - 891.37 acre, Sangrur - 758.88 acre, Tarn Taran - 670 acre, Barnala - 526.52 acre, Gurdaspur - 522.54 acre, Mohali - 298 acre, Moga - 291.78 acre, Kapurthala - 289.54 acre, Nawanshahr - 239.67 acre, Jalandhar - 170.57 acre, and Hoshiarpur - 151.67 acre.

So far, 3,400 farmers have registered for DSR. In Fazilka, 791 farmers are registered, followed by Amritsar with 755, Bathinda with 353, Ferozpur and Ludhiana with 158 each, Patiala with 163, and Sangrur with 112. Less than a hundred farmers each in the remaining 11 districts have adopted DSR. Fatehgarh Sahib and Rup nagar districts recorded the lowest number of farmers under DSR with 10 and 11 farmers respectively.
Experts have stated that DSR can withstand light rain but not heavy rainfall, which the state experienced in the latter half of May and the first week of June.

The government selected 16 blocks in Punjab for the pilot project of Tar-wattar Direct Seeding of Rice (T-DSR) this year. These blocks include Sunam in Sangrur, Barnala in Barnala, Moga-1 in Moga, Patiala, Bassi Pathana in Fatehgarh Sahib, Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala, Phool in Bathinda, Raikot/ Machhiwara in Ludhiana, Mansa, Patti in Tarn Taran, Ajnala in Amritsar, Kotakpura in Faridkot, Ghal Khurd Zira in Ferozepur, and Fazilka.

In T-DSR, farmers give a rauni (pre-sowing) irrigation and wait for four-five days till the field has 'tar-wattar' or sufficient workable soil moisture. They then sow paddy with DSR machine. Post this, farmers are supposed to apply a first post-sowing irrigation after 21 days. But this year farmers could not get three weeks time without rain.

Gurvinder Singh, director, Department of Agriculture Punjab said that due to pre-monsoon heavy rains, the weather was not favourable for DSR technique this year. He said that still the sowing is on and the final figure will show the actual results.

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This year, Punjab fails to achieve even 1/10th target under DSR

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According to the Department of Agriculture, the field reports collected from all the districts of the state showed that Punjab has managed to bring only 33,517 acre of land under DSR till June 12, and the recommended period for implementing this technique is till the first half of June.

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8332 out of total 16012 (52%) water bodies are not in use in #Punjab. Water bodies play an important role in maintaining and restoring the ecological balance. They act as sources of drinking water, recharge groundwater etc !

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8332 out of total 16012 (52%) water bodies are not in use in #Punjab. Water bodies play an important role in maintaining and restoring the ecological balance. They act as sources of drinking water, recharge groundwater etc !

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| I am following this person on twitter from last 2 years, and I decided to check his views on current situation, and I was checking his profile where I saw this news and it divulgate the claims of government. These water bodies can act as a good method to conserve and recharge water to ground but the policymakers are in their deep slumber.

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8332 out of total 16012 (52%) water bodies are not in use in #Punjab. Water bodies play an important role in maintaining and restoring the ecological balance. They act as sources of drinking water, recharge groundwater etc !

This is a burning issue @meet_hayer sahab ! @Sandhwan

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8332 out of total 16012 (52%) water bodies are not in use in #Punjab. Water bodies play an important role in maintaining and restoring the ecological balance. They act as sources of drinking water, recharge groundwater etc !

This is a burning issue @meet_hayer sahab ! @Sandhwan https://t.co/FKjv1dM6oX

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8332 out of total 16012 (52%) water bodies are not in use in #Punjab. Water bodies play an important role in maintaining and restoring the ecological balance. They act as sources of drinking water, recharge groundwater etc !

This is a burning issue @meet_hayer sahab ! @Sandhwan pic.twitter.com/FKjv1dM6oX
— Ramandeep Singh Mann (@ramanmann1974) June 9, 2023

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8332 out of total 16012 (52%) water bodies are not in use in #Punjab. Water bodies play an important role in maintaining and restoring the ecological balance. They act as sources of drinking water, recharge groundwater etc !

This is a burning issue @meet_hayer sahab ! @Sandhwan https://t.co/FKjv1dM6oX

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8332 out of total 16012 (52%) water bodies are not in use in #Punjab. Water bodies play an important role in maintaining and restoring the ecological balance. They act as sources of drinking water, recharge groundwater etc !

This is a burning issue @meet_hayer sahab ! @Sandhwan https://t.co/FKjv1dM6oX

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8332 out of total 16012 (52%) water bodies are not in use in #Punjab. Water bodies play an important role in maintaining and restoring the ecological balance. They act as sources of drinking water, recharge groundwater etc !

This is a burning issue @meet_hayer sahab ! @Sandhwan

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IIT Ropar researchers have used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to predict that Punjab’s groundwater-level recharge will decline 14 millimetres or .014 metres every year for the next decade 

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IIT Ropar researchers have used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to predict that Punjab’s groundwater-level recharge will decline 14 millimetres or .014 metres every year for the next decade 

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These two links are showing the same news, but one is from a news source, and IIT, Ropar posted another. Their study shows that not only farmers are utilizing the water an alarming rate but also the recharge level is decreasing at an alarming rate it shows the difference between the two different regions in Punjab where Amritsar which is located near river Ravi has the slowest recharge rate but Patiala which is geographically located in semi-arid area has 10 times more recharging rate. this was quite surprising. The language of this article is simple, but it is credible as the article is based on credible sources, including research papers and interviews with experts. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the issue and highlights the importance of technological interventions and policy interventions to address groundwater depletion in Punjab.

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IIT Ropar researchers have used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to predict that Punjab’s groundwater-level recharge will decline 14 millimetres or .014 metres every year for the next decade. 

#IITRopar #TimesofIndia #Research #AI #Ground_Water

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IIT Ropar researchers have used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to predict that Punjab’s groundwater-level recharge will decline 14 millimetres or .014 metres every year for the next decade. 

#IITRopar #TimesofIndia #Research #AI #Ground_Water https://t.co/l9ZtWB7owE

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IIT Ropar researchers have used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to predict that Punjab’s groundwater-level recharge will decline 14 millimetres or .014 metres every year for the next decade. #IITRopar #TimesofIndia #Research #AI #Ground_Water pic.twitter.com/l9ZtWB7owE
— IIT Ropar (@iitrpr) June 8, 2023

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IIT Ropar researchers have used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to predict that Punjab’s groundwater-level recharge will decline 14 millimetres or .014 metres every year for the next decade. 

#IITRopar #TimesofIndia #Research #AI #Ground_Water https://t.co/l9ZtWB7owE

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IIT Ropar researchers have used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to predict that Punjab’s groundwater-level recharge will decline 14 millimetres or .014 metres every year for the next decade. 

#IITRopar #TimesofIndia #Research #AI #Ground_Water https://t.co/l9ZtWB7owE

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IIT Ropar researchers have used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to predict that Punjab’s groundwater-level recharge will decline 14 millimetres or .014 metres every year for the next decade. 

#IITRopar #TimesofIndia #Research #AI #Ground_Water

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Out of 150 blocks assessed, only 17 blocks in Punjab were found to have groundwater levels in the “safe” zone 

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Out of 150 blocks assessed, only 17 blocks in Punjab were found to have groundwater levels in the “safe” zone 

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To be honest, I was muddled with these pieces of articles, clearly; they show that last year the number of safe zones was 117, but this year a report claims it comes down to just 17. However, another point I noticed was the engagement of people with these kinds of tweets. I checked other tweets related to this issue, and the outcome was the same, only 1-2 comments or likes, as a society or citizens people don’t care about these kinds of issues (my personal feelings)

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Out of 150 blocks assessed, only 17 blocks in Punjab were found to have groundwater levels in the “safe” zone

https://t.co/OGhkuvl7Kc

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Punjab: Punjab could run out of groundwater in 16 years | India News - Times of India

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India News: The water crisis in Punjab has been in the making for the past three decades largely due to over-exploitation of groundwater. Paddy cultivation is at

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Out of 150 blocks assessed, only 17 blocks in Punjab were found to have groundwater levels in the “safe” zone

https://t.co/OGhkuvl7Kc

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Out of 150 blocks assessed, only 17 blocks in Punjab were found to have groundwater levels in the “safe” zonehttps://t.co/OGhkuvl7Kc
— TOI Plus (@TOIPlus) June 4, 2023

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Punjab: Punjab could run out of groundwater in 16 years | India News - Times of India

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India News: The water crisis in Punjab has been in the making for the past three decades largely due to over-exploitation of groundwater. Paddy cultivation is at

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Out of 150 blocks assessed, only 17 blocks in Punjab were found to have groundwater levels in the “safe” zone

https://t.co/OGhkuvl7Kc

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Out of 150 blocks assessed, only 17 blocks in Punjab were found to have groundwater levels in the “safe” zone

https://t.co/OGhkuvl7Kc

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Out of 150 blocks assessed, only 17 blocks in Punjab were found to have groundwater levels in the “safe” zone

https://t.co/OGhkuvl7Kc

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Punjab: Punjab could run out of groundwater in 16 years | India News - Times of India

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India News: The water crisis in Punjab has been in the making for the past three decades largely due to over-exploitation of groundwater. Paddy cultivation is at

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The GSI will soon launch a project to determine the level of contamination in groundwater in some districts of #Punjab and #Haryana.

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The GSI will soon launch a project to determine the level of contamination in groundwater in some districts of #Punjab and #Haryana.

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| I was using Twitter, and this tweet caught my attention., Primarily because of the word '' border state'', for me, it is a matter of concern that this region is not only facing the problem of decreasing levels of groundwater but the water they have is contaminated. Due to the geographical location of Punjab it might create a problem for security (both food and security of India if there is any drought or migration.

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The GSI will soon launch a project to determine the level of contamination in groundwater in some districts of #Punjab and #Haryana.

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The GSI will soon launch a project to determine the level of contamination in groundwater in some districts of #Punjab and #Haryana. https://t.co/c4XDZyO6z0

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The GSI will soon launch a project to determine the level of contamination in groundwater in some districts of #Punjab and #Haryana. pic.twitter.com/c4XDZyO6z0
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 30, 2023

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The GSI will soon launch a project to determine the level of contamination in groundwater in some districts of #Punjab and #Haryana. https://t.co/c4XDZyO6z0

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The GSI will soon launch a project to determine the level of contamination in groundwater in some districts of #Punjab and #Haryana. https://t.co/c4XDZyO6z0

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The GSI will soon launch a project to determine the level of contamination in groundwater in some districts of #Punjab and #Haryana.

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Punjab CM expresses concern over falling groundwater, pollution

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Punjab CM expresses concern over falling groundwater, pollution

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This was the funniest thing I’ve read, although the government is showing seriousness ( on papers) but on ground level they want to increase the yield of Paddy . This blame game is there from last 20 years.

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Chandigarh: Underlining the need for providing a sustainable environment to the future generations, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday gave a clarion call for launching a mass movement to preserve water and environment in the state.

At the state-level function to mark World Environment Day in Mohali, Mann expressed concern over depletion of ground water table and environment pollution in the state. He said immediate steps were required to save water and check environmental pollution. He said this cannot be done by the government alone and people's participation was required.
On the fast depletion of water table, Mann said almost all blocks in the state were in the dark zone. He said it had happened due to reckless pumping of water in the fields, a trend that needed to be checked.

He said the state government was taking steps for optimum use of canal water to save groundwater. He said at present, Punjab was using 34% of its canal water and this would be enhanced in coming days. He said if Punjab could enhance canal water yse to 60% in the first phase, nearly four lakh tubewells out of total 14 lakh could be stopped.
The CM also cited the example of Telangana for water conservation and said it was a revolutionary model aimed at recharging water table.

On the harmful practice of stubble burning, Mann said while it was prevalent for paddy, farmers had also started doing it for wheat residue. On industrial pollution, Mann said units that were boring industrial waste into the ground, instead of treating it, did not realise they would harm future generations. "We have taken steps in this direction with PAU's help," he said.

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Punjab Cm Expresses Concern Over Falling Groundwater, Pollution | Chandigarh News - Times of India

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Chandigarh: Underlining the need for providing a sustainable environment to the future generations, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday gave.

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In another 16 years,Punjab would run out of Groundwater

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In another 16 years,Punjab would run out of Groundwater

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16 years (maximum), this is the time the Land of five rivers has left with its most important natural resource i.e., WATER. Further, I got to know that there are some incentives provided by Government of Punjab so that the farmers consume less water, but It also raised a question in my mind that if farmers want to reduce their groundwater consumption for farming then is there any alternative source of water?

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Punjab: Punjab could run out of groundwater in 16 years | India News - Times of India

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India News: The water crisis in Punjab has been in the making for the past three decades largely due to over-exploitation of groundwater. Paddy cultivation is at

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| Reason- While reading this article, I came to know about the utilization of groundwater instead of canal-based irrigation where only 2% of Paddy is irrigated by it and according to government officials, they have water for only 10-12 years.

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Moga

Groundwater levels in the district are declining because of continuous withdrawal for paddy sowing. (HT File Photo)

The district administration has decided to re-establish permanent watercourses to check the decline in groundwater levels in Moga.

Groundwater levels in the district are declining because of continuous withdrawal for paddy sowing. The district administration also plans to motivate farmers to irrigate their crops with canal water through these watercourses in the upcoming paddy season.

All the five blocks of the district --- Moga-1, Moga-2, Baghapurna, Nihal Singh Wala and Kot Ise Khan --- fall in the dark zone due to overexploitation of groundwater. The water recharging in these blocks is also taking place at a slow rate. According to the official record, the water table is depleting at a rate of 1 metre every year, thus posing a serious threat to groundwater levels.

Moga deputy commissioner Kulwant Singh said to maintain the water table, there is a need to reduce the use of groundwater for agricultural purposes. "Farmers should use canal water for irrigating their fields. To a large extent, farmers have incorporated water channels into their land. As a result, canal water is not reaching the fields of needy farmers. So, the district administration has decided to restore permanent watercourses," he said.

"Punjab, especially Moga district, is rapidly moving towards a serious water crisis. If we continue to waste the groundwater at this rate, the day is not far when we will not even have enough water to meet our needs. Today, the situation is such that we have only 10-12 years of potable water under the ground. Taking Moga out of the 'dark zone' by conserving groundwater is the need of the hour," he said.

The DC instructed the irrigation and canal departments to prepare and send a report regarding the actual length, infrastructure and other facts of the canals, distributaries, minors and watercourses in the district so that the matter can be tabled at the government level. He said action should be initiated for the cleaning and revival of watercourses.
Only 2% area under paddy irrigated by canal water
Of 1.72 lakh hectare area under paddy cultivation, only 4,800 (2%) hectare is irrigated by the Sirhind feeder and Abohar canal and the rest with the help of tubewells.

In a majority of villages, the water table has gone down to around 200 to 300 feet, while earlier it was at 150 feet. The decline in groundwater levels is compelling farmers to install more tubewells to extract water.

"Last year, paddy was sown over 1.72 lakh hectares and basmati over 10,000 hectares. Water-guzzling paddy varieties of PUSA group was sown over 60-65% of land last year. This year, we will encourage farmers to sow paddy varieties such as PR-131, 126 and 128, which consume less water," said Moga plant protection officer Dr Jaswinder Singh Brar.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Parteek Singh Mahal is a multimedia correspondent based at Faridkot in Punjab. He covers medical education, politics and Punjab police.

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Punjab: As groundwater crisis runs deep, Moga to re-establish permanent watercourses

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The district administration has decided to re-establish permanent watercourses to check the decline in groundwater levels in Moga

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Attached maps show depletion of #groundwater levels in #Punjab from 1998 to 2018. The future if this region is foreseeable. The question that what is the way out? The answer would depend on our will to find one

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Attached maps show depletion of #groundwater levels in #Punjab from 1998 to 2018. The future if this region is foreseeable. The question that what is the way out? The answer would depend on our will to find one

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Undoubtedly, this post is old but shows that it took just 20 years for Punjab’s groundwater to reach its current position where majority of blocks are under black zone .one the land of waters now heading towards a drought. This poses a serious threat to the food security of India and also shows the result of green revolution. they posted this as a poster which shows the communication method where visuals say more than words. one can easily understand the issue.

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Attached maps show depletion of #groundwater levels in #Punjab from 1998 to 2018. The future if this region is foreseeable. The question that what is the way out? The answer would depend on our will to find one.

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Agriculture and Environment Awareness Centre

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Attached maps show depletion of #groundwater levels in #Punjab from 1998 to 2018. The future if this region is foreseeable. The question that what is the way out? The answer would depend on our will to find one. https://t.co/wE6WtIprQW

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Agriculture and Environment Awareness Centre

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Agriculture and Environment Awareness Centre

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Attached maps show depletion of #groundwater levels in #Punjab from 1998 to 2018. The future if this region is foreseeable. The question that what is the way out? The answer would depend on our will to find one. pic.twitter.com/wE6WtIprQW
— Agriculture and Environment Awareness Centre (@aecpunjab) July 15, 2021

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Attached maps show depletion of #groundwater levels in #Punjab from 1998 to 2018. The future if this region is foreseeable. The question that what is the way out? The answer would depend on our will to find one. https://t.co/wE6WtIprQW

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Agriculture and Environment Awareness Centre

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Attached maps show depletion of #groundwater levels in #Punjab from 1998 to 2018. The future if this region is foreseeable. The question that what is the way out? The answer would depend on our will to find one. https://t.co/wE6WtIprQW

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Attached maps show depletion of #groundwater levels in #Punjab from 1998 to 2018. The future if this region is foreseeable. The question that what is the way out? The answer would depend on our will to find one.

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Agriculture and Environment Awareness Centre

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Groundwater extraction worst in Punjab, Haryana close 3rd

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Groundwater extraction worst in Punjab, Haryana close 3rd

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Reason to select this news – Although this is old news, it shows the seriousness of the condition of decreasing groundwater levels in northern India, especially in Punjab. Times of India is a famous newspaper used by educated people, although a few farmers read this newspaper as it is in English but this is an excellent source for those who are not indulging in agriculture but are getting affected by this issue. The language is very professional yet simple and their data is based on scientific research they only provided some serious issue .

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BATHINDA: Groundwater depletion continues to be a cause for concern in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, as the three states are the only ones in India where groundwater extraction is more 100%. The nation average is 60%.

The recently released Ground Water Resources Assessment for 2022 points the situation in Punjab being the most critical, with the agrarian state being the worst off in extracting underground water at 166% of its extractable groundwater resources. Punjab has 76% groundwater blocks which are overexploited, Rajasthan has 72% and Haryana has 61%.

As per the groundwater assessment report, Punjab has annual extractable groundwater resources of 17.07 billion cubic metres (BCM). The recharge is 18.94 BCM, while the extraction turned out to be 28.02 BCM. This is 165.99% of extractable resources. Also, 117 of the 153 (including three urban blocks) groundwater blocks were overexploited. This is 76.47% of total blocks.
Of 28.02 BCM, 26.69 BCM is extracted for irrigation purpose. Domestic extraction was recorded at 1.17 BCM (4.18%) and extraction for industrial sector was recorded at 0.16 BCM, which turns out to be a meagre 0.57% of the total extraction.

Only some days ago, the Punjab government decided to make water extraction in industrial sector to be chargeable. The allocation for domestic water has been assessed at 1.19 BCM in the state in the year 2025.
In Rajasthan, annual extractable groundwater resources stand at 10.96 BCM, the recharge is 12.13 BCM and extraction is 16.56 BCM. The extration is 151.07% of extractable resources. The state has 219 blocks, of the total 302, which are overexploited.
In Haryana the annual extractable groundwater resources have been assessed at 8.61 BCM. The water recharge is 9.48 BCM, while extraction is 12.42 BCM. going by this, extraction is 134.14% of extractable resource. Of the state's 143 water blocks, 88 are overexploited, making up 61.54% of total blocks.
In the entire country, extractable resources, as per 2022 report, have been assessed at 398.08 BCM and the extraction has been recorded at 239.16 BCM, while the recharge is 437.60 BCM. The extraction rate is 60.08%.
Despite the underground water turning scarcer, there is no perceptible change in paddy growing in these three states. Haryana and Rajasthan witnessed an increase in area under paddy in 2022 as compared to previous year. In Punjab, area under paddy was recorded at 31.33 lakh hectares (31.45 LH in 2021). In Haryana, it was 14.58 LH (13.64 LH). In Rajasthan, it was 2.28 LH (1.94 LH).

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Punjab: Groundwater extraction worst in Punjab, Haryana close 3rd | Chandigarh News - Times of India

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Groundwater depletion continues to be a cause for concern in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, as the three states are the only ones in India where groun