The rapidly declining groundwater table in Karnal district, which is known as rice belt, has emerged as a major concern for authorities, farmers and other stakeholders, with agricultural experts pinning their hopes on the upcoming monsoon season to help recharge the depleting water table.
As per the groundwater data recorded after the 2025 monsoon, the average groundwater table in Karnal district stood at 21.38 metres in October 2025. The data reflect a long-term decline in groundwater availability across the district, raising concerns about the sustainability of agriculture and drinking water resources.
Karnal block recorded an average groundwater level of 16.18 metres after the monsoon, compared to 16.31 metres before the rains, indicating only marginal improvement. Gharaunda reported an average groundwater table of 24.73 metres, while Nilokheri stood at 28.08 metres. Assandh recorded 29.08 metres and Nissing 29.92 metres and Munak 21.19 metres, making them among the most water-stressed areas of the district. In contrast, Indri recorded a groundwater level of 12.25 metres, and Kunjpura 9.58 metres.
Historical data highlights the alarming trend.
The district’s average groundwater table was just 5.37 metres in 1974. It declined to 8.57 metres in 2000, 17.16 metres in June 2015, 20.80 metres in June 2024 and 20.98 metres in June 2025 before reaching 21.38 metres in October 2025.
Authorities attribute the continuous decline primarily to excessive extraction of groundwater for irrigation, particularly in water-intensive crops like paddy, coupled with inadequate natural recharge.
Dr Shiv Singh Rawat, retired Superintending Engineer Irrigation Department Haryana, said that all the eight blocks in Karnal are over-exploited due to excessive extraction of groundwater and minimum works on recharging groundwater. “Paddy is a major water consuming crop and it is the need of the hour for the crop diversification and to adopt less water consuming crops,” he said. He also emphasized micro irrigation projects and appealed to farmers to adopt it seriously.
He believed that a normal or above-normal monsoon this year could provide much-needed relief by improving groundwater recharge. He also stressed on water recharging by constructing underground storage systems in stadiums, parks and other open grounds.
However, to address the challenge, the Irrigation Department has intensified efforts under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan. Executive Engineer (XEN) Vikas Raj of the Irrigation Department, Karnal Division, said that recharge trenches are being developed along monsoon drains to enhance groundwater replenishment. He said tenders for cleaning and desilting of drains have already been floated and the works have been allotted. The authorities are hopeful that the works will be completed before June 20, ahead of the arrival of the monsoon.
“We have allotted works for cleaning and desilting of such drains. It will help in recharging the water table,” he added.
XEN further said that repair and maintenance of groundwater recharge structures constructed in previous years are also being done to improve their effectiveness during the rainy season.
Deputy Commissioner Anand Kumar Sharma has also directed officials to ensure proper cleaning and maintenance of existing rainwater harvesting and recharge structures across the district. He emphasized the need for schools, colleges and other institutions to establish and maintain rainwater harvesting systems to maximize rainwater conservation.
