India, Sept. 4 -- Punjab's latest groundwater assessment shows a severe crisis despite slight improvement.

The state recharges 19.14 BCM annually but extracted 26.32 BCM in 2025-26, 52% above sustainable levels, with exploitation at 152.22%.

Agriculture uses nearly all withdrawals, leaving 110 blocks over-exploited. Authorities push canal-based irrigation, crop diversification and efficiency to ease pressure.

While the groundwater crisis in Punjab has shown some signs of improvement, the state's groundwater situation remains critical. According to the latest report, Dynamic Groundwater Resource Assessment, prepared by a 10-member committee in the state, the number of over-exploited groundwater blocks in Punjab has declined from 115 to ...