groundwater quality, recharge, discharges, and storage in many aquifers (Panwar
and Chakrapani 2013; Aizebeokhai et al. 2017).
Climate change directly influences the surface water resource; hence, its impacts
on surface water have been analyzed and discussed (Singh and Kumar 2010;
Aizebeokhai et al. 2017). As relationships between climate change and groundwater
dynamics are much more complicated, the vulnerability of groundwater resources to
climate change has not been sufficiently studied (IPCC 2007; Green 2016; Singh
and Kumar 2010; Aizebeokhai et al. 2017). Climate changes may affect the quantity
and quality of groundwater in several ways, but it is difficult to quantify the extent
and nature of these impacts because of uncertainty at all stages of the assessment
process (Dettinger and Earman 2007; Kundzewicz et al. 2007; Aizebeokhai et al.
2017).
In India, the rapid growth of groundwater-based irrigation systems has multiplied
groundwater extraction, resulting in its overexploitation. Thus, incidences of climate
change are imposing additional major threats to this resource (Wang et al. 2013).
Hence, understanding the behavior and dimensions of the groundwater regime under
future climatic and other changes is significant for adopting an appropriate water
management strategy (Singh and Kumar 2010; Aizebeokhai et al. 2017).
This study presents an outline of the groundwater resource base of India and its
susceptibility to ongoing and future trends of changes in climatic variables. The
potential impact of climate change on different subsurface layers and groundwater
recharge and discharge processes is discussed, and the nature of changing trends of
groundwater resources in India in connection with changes in climatic variables have
been analyzed by highlighting important findings from earlier research and assessing
available recorded data.
Climate Change Scenario in India
In spite of huge regional variations in terms of patterns of wind, temperature, and
rainfall, rhythm of seasons, and degree of wetness or dryness, in the broad sense the
Indian climate is considered as the ‘tropical monsoon type,’ characterized by
seasonal reversal of wind direction associated with alternating periods of wetness
and dryness (Khullar 2005; Rajaram 2006). The average annual rainfall for the
country as a whole is about 118 cm, the highest for land of comparable size in the
world (Lal 2001; Khullar 2005). India receives three fourths of its total rainfall
during the ‘rainy season’ or ‘monsoon season’ from June to mid-September, consequent to the onset and flows of southwest monsoon wind from the Indian Ocean
toward the landmass. During the rest of the seasons, scanty rainfall occurs, so that in
this time an almost dry condition prevails in most parts of the country. The origin and
mechanism of the monsoon wind is a complex phenomenon determined by many
local, regional, and global factors. Hence, the climate of India is also greatly
diversified and erratic in nature. The issues of climate change will bring more
6 Impact of Climate Change on Groundwater Resource of India: A Geographical. . .
127
and Chakrapani 2013; Aizebeokhai et al. 2017).
Climate change directly influences the surface water resource; hence, its impacts
on surface water have been analyzed and discussed (Singh and Kumar 2010;
Aizebeokhai et al. 2017). As relationships between climate change and groundwater
dynamics are much more complicated, the vulnerability of groundwater resources to
climate change has not been sufficiently studied (IPCC 2007; Green 2016; Singh
and Kumar 2010; Aizebeokhai et al. 2017). Climate changes may affect the quantity
and quality of groundwater in several ways, but it is difficult to quantify the extent
and nature of these impacts because of uncertainty at all stages of the assessment
process (Dettinger and Earman 2007; Kundzewicz et al. 2007; Aizebeokhai et al.
2017).
In India, the rapid growth of groundwater-based irrigation systems has multiplied
groundwater extraction, resulting in its overexploitation. Thus, incidences of climate
change are imposing additional major threats to this resource (Wang et al. 2013).
Hence, understanding the behavior and dimensions of the groundwater regime under
future climatic and other changes is significant for adopting an appropriate water
management strategy (Singh and Kumar 2010; Aizebeokhai et al. 2017).
This study presents an outline of the groundwater resource base of India and its
susceptibility to ongoing and future trends of changes in climatic variables. The
potential impact of climate change on different subsurface layers and groundwater
recharge and discharge processes is discussed, and the nature of changing trends of
groundwater resources in India in connection with changes in climatic variables have
been analyzed by highlighting important findings from earlier research and assessing
available recorded data.
Climate Change Scenario in India
In spite of huge regional variations in terms of patterns of wind, temperature, and
rainfall, rhythm of seasons, and degree of wetness or dryness, in the broad sense the
Indian climate is considered as the ‘tropical monsoon type,’ characterized by
seasonal reversal of wind direction associated with alternating periods of wetness
and dryness (Khullar 2005; Rajaram 2006). The average annual rainfall for the
country as a whole is about 118 cm, the highest for land of comparable size in the
world (Lal 2001; Khullar 2005). India receives three fourths of its total rainfall
during the ‘rainy season’ or ‘monsoon season’ from June to mid-September, consequent to the onset and flows of southwest monsoon wind from the Indian Ocean
toward the landmass. During the rest of the seasons, scanty rainfall occurs, so that in
this time an almost dry condition prevails in most parts of the country. The origin and
mechanism of the monsoon wind is a complex phenomenon determined by many
local, regional, and global factors. Hence, the climate of India is also greatly
diversified and erratic in nature. The issues of climate change will bring more
6 Impact of Climate Change on Groundwater Resource of India: A Geographical. . .
127