The Ganges River, a vital source of water and spiritual life for nearly 600 million people in South Asia, is drying at a rate unseen in over a thousand years, according to recent research.
Stretching more than 1,500 miles (over 2,400 km) from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal, the river supports agriculture, provides drinking water, and serves as a cornerstone of religious traditions in India. But new findings reveal that its water levels have dropped more severely in the last few decades than during any known drought in recorded history.
Between 1991 and 2020, the reduction in river flow was 76% more extreme than the worst drought documented in the 16th century. Experts say the current drying trend is the most intense the Ganges has experienced in at least 1,300 years.
Sacred river faces modern threats
The Ganges holds immense cultural and religious value, especially in Hinduism. Known as “Ganga Maa” or Mother Ganges, it is revered as a divine force. Millions of pilgrims travel to its banks each year for rituals such as cremations, spiritual baths, and major gatherings such as the Kumbh Mela.
Beyond its religious significance, the river is a lifeline for everyday life. It nourishes crops, sustains fisheries, and supplies water to some of the most densely populated regions in the world. Yet, despite its sacred status, the Ganges now faces a dangerous decline in flow, raising concerns about both spiritual and physical survival.
The research, led by scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar and the University of Arizona, examined historical patterns by analyzing tree rings and rainfall records spanning centuries. Using these records, scientists reconstructed the river’s flow dating back to the year 700.
Their analysis found that recent decades of drying go far beyond what natural climate changes would explain. The study attributes the decline to weakening monsoon rains, which are crucial for the river’s flow.
Human impact at the core of river’s decline
Scientists link the weakening monsoon directly to human activities. Rising temperatures in the Indian Ocean and pollution from tiny airborne particles known as aerosols are playing a significant role.
Aerosols — commonly released by vehicles, factories, and power plants — can block sunlight and disturb rainfall patterns, reducing the amount of water reaching the river basin.
Lead researcher Vimal Mishra emphasized that while climate variability has always influenced the river, current trends point strongly to human-caused factors as the primary drivers. Co-author Jonathan Overpeck added that most climate prediction models failed to anticipate this steep decline, revealing gaps in existing forecasting tools.
To address the situation, researchers are calling for better climate models that can capture regional shifts more accurately. They also stress the urgent need for water management strategies that can adapt to reduced flow levels and protect both communities and ecosystems that depend on the Ganges.
The river, once seen as eternal and self-renewing, now faces an uncertain future. As its waters continue to shrink, the impact will be felt not just in rituals and beliefs, but also in food supply, public health, and regional stability.