The article "Satellite-based estimates of groundwater depletion in India" by Matthew Rodell, Isabella Velicogna, and James S. Famiglietti, published in Nature in 2009, reports on the depletion of groundwater in the Indian states of Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana. Using data from NASA's Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites and a hydrological modeling system, the authors estimate that groundwater is being depleted at a mean rate of 4.0 ± 1.0 cm yr−1 (17.7 ± 4.5 km yr−1) over these regions. During the study period from August 2002 to October 2008, the region lost 109 km3 of groundwater, equivalent to double the capacity of India's largest surface-water reservoir. The authors attribute this depletion primarily to unsustainable irrigation practices and other anthropogenic uses, rather than natural climate variability. They warn that without immediate measures to curb groundwater demand, the region could face severe water shortages, reduced agricultural productivity, and socioeconomic stresses. The study highlights the importance of holistic regional assessments for promoting sustainable groundwater management policies.The article "Satellite-based estimates of groundwater depletion in India" by Matthew Rodell, Isabella Velicogna, and James S. Famiglietti, published in Nature in 2009, reports on the depletion of groundwater in the Indian states of Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana. Using data from NASA's Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites and a hydrological modeling system, the authors estimate that groundwater is being depleted at a mean rate of 4.0 ± 1.0 cm yr−1 (17.7 ± 4.5 km yr−1) over these regions. During the study period from August 2002 to October 2008, the region lost 109 km3 of groundwater, equivalent to double the capacity of India's largest surface-water reservoir. The authors attribute this depletion primarily to unsustainable irrigation practices and other anthropogenic uses, rather than natural climate variability. They warn that without immediate measures to curb groundwater demand, the region could face severe water shortages, reduced agricultural productivity, and socioeconomic stresses. The study highlights the importance of holistic regional assessments for promoting sustainable groundwater management policies.