Study Finds Major Indian River Deltas Sinking Faster Than Sea-Level Rise

A global study published in Nature reveals that many major river deltas, including India's Ganga-Brahmaputra, Brahmani, and Mahanadi, are sinking at rates matching or exceeding sea-level rise. This subsidence, driven by natural sediment compaction and intensified by human activities like groundwater extraction, urbanization, and upstream dams, threatens tens of millions with increased flooding, coastal erosion, and saltwater intrusion. The findings highlight the compounded risks to agriculture, freshwater sources, and densely populated delta regions.