Droughts Likely Caused Indus Valley Civilisation Decline

The Indus Valley Civilisation was one of the world's earliest urban societies, known for its advanced cities, water management, and trade networks.

Researchers from IIT Gandhinagar and the University of Colorado Boulder have found that a series of extended droughts, each lasting over 85 years, played a central role in the civilisation's gradual disappearance.

These droughts caused water scarcity, leading to the abandonment of major cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.

The most severe drought lasted 164 years and affected over 91% of the region.

The civilisation adapted by migrating closer to reliable water sources and switching to drought-tolerant crops, but these measures were not enough to offset the impact of prolonged aridity.

The study highlights the vulnerability of complex societies to environmental stress and the importance of water management and climate adaptation.