Groundwater 2025: Depletion and Contamination Rising

March 25, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: A pit full of untreated effluents in Drain No. 8 in Sonipat, Haryana in Oct. 2025. Credit: SANDRP)

The annual overview compiling media reports on groundwater situation in India highlights that the crisis is only deepening across the country. Most of the reports are based on CGWB’s Annual Ground Water Quality Report 2025 revealing a dangerous mix of over-extraction and rising contamination. In agrarian states like Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, groundwater use far exceeds recharge, driven largely by water-intensive crops and subsidized electricity. Punjab alone extracts over 150% of its annual recharge, with most districts now classified as overexploited. Even above-normal rainfall in states like Rajasthan has failed to restore aquifers, pointing to structural failures in recharge and water management.

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DRP 230326: Small Hydro environment friendly and help community development?

March 23, 2026March 23, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Priyadarshini Small HEP on Manuni khad in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh damaged after flash flood in June 2025. At least 8 workers of the project were also killed in the disaster. Image Source: Gems of Himachal, post on X.)

The impression being given through the following PIB Press Release dated March 18 2026 that this scheme cleared by the Union Cabinet to promote small hydropower projects will promote environment friendly and socio-economically beneficial projects in North East and other hilly areas is incorrect and misleading.

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Groundwater · Rural Drinking Water · Water · Water Options

WWD 2026: Collective Groundwater Conservation Efforts in India

March 22, 2026March 22, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: In Rajasthan’s Chambal, wives of ex-dacoits lead revival of water sources and hope. Source: The Tribune)

On the occasion of World Water Day (WWD) 2026, themed around water and gender, this overview highlights ten stories of collective efforts by communities, experts, and government agencies to conserve groundwater from across India. These examples show how decentralized actions such as reviving wells, recharging aquifers, harvesting rainwater and managing surface water bodies offer simple yet effective alternatives to large-scale infrastructure projects to address the water scarcity. The compilation demonstrates that sustainable groundwater management depends on collective action, local knowledge and active participation of local people.

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Dams, Rivers & People · Free flowing rivers · River Water Disputes · Riverine Literature · Rivers and Culture

2026: Books, Films, Discussions on State of Indian Rivers

March 21, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Cover page of five books on Indian rivers mentioned in this overview)

This overview puts together brief information on top five books, films, discussions, reports, and cultural stories published during previous year to present a comprehensive view on the state of rivers in India. The compilation emphasizes how rivers are deeply intertwined with ecology, society, politics and culture while highlighting the growing crises they face due to pollution, dams, urbanization and climate change. Through research, storytelling and lived experiences, the collection questions current policies and development models, stressing on the need for sustainable management, stronger accountability and recognition of rivers as living systems essential to human and ecological well-being.

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Chenab · Landslide · Hydro Disaster

March 2026: Landslide at Pakul Dul HEP in Jammu & Kashmir

March 18, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Search operation being conducted at Pakal Dul HEP dam site. Source: Screengrab of PNA.)

One worker has been killed; one went missing while two others sustained minor injuries following a landslide at the head race tunnel (HRT) site of Pakal Dul Hydro Electric Power (HEP) Project near Drangdhuran village in Dachan tehsil under Kishtwar district of Jammu & Kashmir as per available reports.

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Rainfall

Winter 2026: District wise Rainfall in India

March 18, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

In the 2026 Winter Season (January 1 2026 to February 28 2026), as per India Meteorological Department (IMD), India received 60% below Normal Rainfall (it was 47% below normal in winter 2025 [i], 33% below normal in winter 2024 [ii], it was 45% below normal in winter 2023 [iii], 44% above normal rainfall in winter 2022 [iv] and 32% below normal rainfall in winter 2021 [v]). In five of the last six years since 2021, winter rainfall has been 32% or more below normal.

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Dams, Rivers & People

DRP 160326: Urgent need for adaptive reservoir management in India

March 16, 2026March 16, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Vyasi dam on Yamuna river in Uttarakhand. Bhim Singh Rawat/SANDRP)

A detailed report this week in an international Water Power Magazine underlines the urgent need for India, as rest of the world to adopt adaptive reservoir management. This has become urgent as under changing climate, the Probable Maximum Precipitation figures are changing fast. In India, it has already increased by 35% in 84% of mainland. This makes the current reservoir operation models including rule curves and spillway capacities outdated. Human activities in the catchment and aging infrastructure are making the situation worse.

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Dams, Rivers & People · Rivers

International Day of Action for Rivers 2026: Efforts to Protect and Revive India’s Rivers

March 14, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Uttar Pradesh’s Matuka River Revived: How Farmers Got Their Lifeline On Course. Source: News18)

Marking the International Day of Action for Rivers 2026, this overview brings together several encouraging examples of people’s efforts to protect, revive and defend their rivers across India. At a time when rivers are increasingly threatened by pollution, indiscriminate sand mining, encroachments, dams and half-baked developmental projects, these stories remind us that citizens, communities and grassroots organizations remain the strongest defenders of the rivers.

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Urban Rivers

International Day of Actions for Rivers 2026: Citizens Actions to Protect Urban Rivers in India

March 13, 2026March 13, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Short march with a loud message: Citizens protest against Riverfront Development project in Pimpri-Chinchwad. Source: Express Photo)

On the occasion of the 29^th International Day of Action for Rivers, celebrated annually on March 14 since 1997, the SANDRP highlights ten inspiring examples of citizen-led initiatives in last one year across India aimed at protecting urban rivers. The overview showcases how citizen groups and individuals are taking action to address river pollution, oppose ecologically harmful development projects and promote restoration and conservation of urban river ecosystems. These efforts demonstrate the crucial role of public participation in safeguarding rivers and ensuring that river management prioritizes ecological health, transparency and the rights of affected communities.

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Dams, Rivers & People

DRP 090326: Polavaram Dam Safety questioned

March 9, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Polavaram Dam. Source: The Hindu)

The safety issues related to Polavaram dam has been under focus for some weeks now. It has come under sharper focus last week due to some very specific questions about various aspects of the Dam, from CWC, Centre for Liberty and former MP Vundavalli Arun Kumar. The project has also been under scrutiny by a panel of experts from abroad. However, the work of the Panel of Experts has remained under wraps so far, which should not have been the case.

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