A new study reveals that India’s massive groundwater extraction, accounting for over 25% of the global total, disrupts Earth’s balance, shifting its rotational axis. Unchecked, this could alter day-night cycles and trigger crises like food and water scarcity worldwide.
Groundwater Extraction Explained
Over-pumping groundwater redistributes Earth’s mass, prompting the planet to adjust its balance, leading to axis shifts. According to scientific findings, India tops global extraction, followed by China and the US.
Polar Motion Phenomenon
Earth’s rotation resembles a spinning top; mass changes shift its axis, termed “polar motion.” NASA research shows that from 1993–2010, extracting ~54 trillion litres from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China moved the North Pole 78 cm eastward.
India’s Extraction Scale
India extracts 250–260 cubic kilometres annually, dwarfing the US and China’s combined usage, driven by agriculture (e.g., rice, sugarcane). Cheap electricity and poor canal systems fuel overuse. Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu lead, while Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad face depleting levels. Groundwater in Punjab drops 0.5–1m yearly; 21 cities, including Chennai, risk shortages by 2025.
Global Context
No nation matches India’s extraction. China and the US use less relative to their needs, while Saudi Arabia and Iran trail. India’s heavy reliance stands out.
Consequences of Over-Extraction
- Climate Shifts: Axis changes could disrupt Earth’s 23.5° tilt, altering seasons and monsoons and causing droughts or floods. Polar ice melt may intensify.
- Sea Level Rise: Accelerated melting in Greenland and Antarctica could flood coastal cities like Mumbai and disrupt ocean currents, chilling Europe.
- Day-Night Changes: Rotation shifts might tweak day lengths, affecting crop cycles and yields of staples like wheat.
- Geological Risks: Axis shifts could stress tectonic plates, raising earthquake risks in regions like the Pacific Ring of Fire, with warmer oceans fueling stronger storms.
The axis shifts ~10 cm yearly, with significant impacts centuries away. However, groundwater depletion, warming, and ice loss are hastening changes. Better water management is urgent.