South Asia

South Asia: Water surpluses to persist in Ganges and connecting basins

South Asia: Water surpluses to persist in Ganges and connecting basins

Water surpluses are forecast to continue to emerge through May in India from southern Rajasthan along the Chambal River and its tributaries, eastward to the Yamuna River, to the Ganges River, and into Bangladesh. Surpluses are also forecast for Myanmar’s western coast through November and in Bangladesh through May. Deficits in southern India are forecast to become less severe after November, but deficits will emerge in Assam and surrounding states in the northeast. Deficits will persist in Gujarat through May becoming more severe from December on.

South Asia: Water surpluses forecast in central India, deficits in the south

South Asia: Water surpluses forecast in central India, deficits in the south

Water surpluses are forecast for central India for the next several months, though the extent and severity will diminish. Deficits are forecast for southern and northwestern India, western Afghanistan and southern Pakistan. Exceptional deficits are forecast for Odisha, India in August and for Gujarat in December. Deficits will emerge in Sri Lanka in December. Moderate surpluses are expected to persist in Bangladesh through April.

South Asia: Water deficits forecast in India, esp Odisha; surpluses in Bangladesh

South Asia: Water deficits forecast in India, esp Odisha; surpluses in Bangladesh

Water deficits are forecast for much of India, Pakistan, and western Afghanistan while surpluses are expected throughout Bangladesh, in central Nepal, Jammu and Kashmir, eastern Afghanistan, and western Sri Lanka. Deficits may be especially severe in July throughout India’s southern half. Moderate to extreme surpluses are expected in the Ganges Basin in July, and exceptional surpluses are forecast along the northern Indus through Punjab, Pakistan in July and August. Deficits are forecast to begin emerging in Bhutan, northeastern Indian states, and Myanmar in August and continue to emerge through March.

South Asia: Moderate water surpluses forecast for India's midsection, deficits in the south

South Asia: Moderate water surpluses forecast for India's midsection, deficits in the south

Moderate water surpluses are forecast in India in an area fanning out from Gujarat. Deficits are expected in much of India’s southern half from Maharashtra south, and in central Odisha, north of Delhi, and the Thar Desert. Surpluses are forecast in eastern Afghanistan, Jammu and Kashmir, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Deficits are expected to persist in western Afghanistan and southwestern Pakistan. Deficits are forecast to begin emerging in Bhutan and northeastern India states in July and increase through February. 

South Asia: India transitioning to water surplus in western midsection, Ganges Basin, & Chennai

The forecast indicates a transition in India from widespread and exceptional water deficits throughout the country to surpluses in India’s western midsection, in the Ganges Basin, and near Chennai. Surpluses are also forecast in India’s northernmost states and in much of Bangladesh. In general, water surpluses are forecast for eastern Afghanistan and deficits in the west. Deficits are expected to persist in southern Pakistan, and both deficits and surpluses are expected in the north.