Ganges River Hits 1,300-Year Low as Climate Crisis Intensifies

The mighty Ganges River, a lifeline for over 600 million people across India and Bangladesh, is experiencing its most severe water crisis in more than a millennium. A groundbreaking new study reveals that the sacred waterway has reached unprecedented low levels, with streamflow dropping to depths not seen since the year 700 C.E.

Using advanced paleoclimatic data and hydrological modeling, researchers reconstructed 1,300 years of river levels and discovered alarming trends. Between 1991 and 2020, the Ganges basin suffered more frequent dry periods than any other 30-year span in recorded history. The situation became particularly dire in 1991, when streamflow suddenly plummeted by 620 cubic meters per second—marking a historic low point for the river system.

Perhaps most concerning is the changing pattern of severe droughts. While historically such prolonged dry spells occurred every 70 to 200 years, the Ganges has endured four multi-year droughts in just the past three decades. This acceleration suggests a fundamental shift in the region’s climate patterns.

The crisis stems from weakening monsoon rains, traditionally the river’s primary water source. While past droughts could be attributed to natural climate variations in Indo-Pacific sea surface temperatures, researchers now point to climate change as a likely culprit. Global warming appears to be reducing the temperature contrast between land and ocean, weakening monsoon systems that hundreds of millions depend on for agriculture, drinking water, and economic survival. The findings underscore the urgent need for water conservation and climate adaptation strategies across South Asia.