Asia's high mountains are losing 24 billion tonnes of groundwater each year
Groundwater reserves in High Mountain Asia are experiencing severe depletion annually due to a combination of climate impacts and excessive human water usage. The irrigation needs in the lower basins dramatically exacerbate groundwater storage losses. If current consumption trends continue, projections suggest that depletion will persist. Although temporary glacier melt may provide a short…
The High Mountain Asia region, often referred to as the "Asian water tower," is facing a significant issue as groundwater reserves are declining at an alarming rate, according to a recent satellite-based study. The research, conducted by Prof. Shudong Wang of the Chinese Academy of Science, reveals that groundwater storage in the area is decreasing by approximately 24.2 billion tonnes each year.
This decline is a critical concern, as the region supplies water to farming, cities, and ecosystems in more than a dozen downstream countries, supporting hundreds of millions of people.
Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
