Archive · 4 Aug 2025
IIT Roorkee Study: Groundwater Dominates Ganga's Flow
Imagine the Ganga River, a big and important river in India.
People thought it was mainly filled by melting glaciers.
But, scientists at IIT Roorkee did a study and found out something different!
They discovered that most of the water in the Ganga, especially in the plains, comes from underground water sources.
This underground water helps the river a lot.
They also found that a lot of water disappears due to evaporation in the summer.
The study says that we should focus on taking care of the underground water and the smaller rivers that feed into the Ganga.
This will help keep the Ganga healthy.
IIT Roorkee study finds Ganga's flow in plains primarily from groundwater, not glacial melt.
Underground contribution boosts the river's volume by nearly 120% along the middle stretch.
Over 58% of the river's water is lost to evaporation during summer.
Glacier-fed input has a negligible role in summer flow beyond the Himalayan foothills.
Findings support reviving tributaries, increasing environmental flow, and protecting water bodies.
- Who
- Researchers at IIT Roorkee conducted the study.
- What
- Study shows Ganga's flow in plains is primarily sustained by groundwater, not glacial melt.
- When
- The study was recently published.
- Where
- Indo-Gangetic plains and Himalayan region.
- Why
- To redefine understanding of Ganga's summer flow and inform sustainable river rejuvenation strategies.
Prior Belief
IIT Roorkee Study Findings
Source of River's Flow
Prior Belief
Ganga's flow primarily from glacial melt.
IIT Roorkee Study Findings
Ganga's flow primarily from groundwater.
- Lead Research Institute
- IIT Roorkee
- Primary Source
- Groundwater
- Glacial Melt Impact
- Negligible in plains during summer
- Water Loss
- Over 58% lost to evaporation in summer
- Key Finding
- Ganga flow reliant on groundwater