GROUNDWATER DEPLETION IN QUETTA: SATELLITE BASED CLIMATE IMPACT ANALYSIS

Abstract

Groundwater resources are increasingly vulnerable in arid and semi-arid areas due to rising water demands, climate uncertainty, and unsustainable exploitation. In this study, long-term groundwater depletion in Quetta Valley, Balochistan, Pakistan, is assessed using satellite-derived data extracted from the GRACE and GLDAS missions from 2002 to 2023. The findings identify a constant and extreme decline in terrestrial water storage and groundwater levels, showing seasonal patterns governed by winter precipitation and summer evapotranspiration. Groundwater anomalies obtained from the analysis identify the lack of recovery trends, which highlights the pervasive nature of aquifer stress in the area. The findings are supported by field observations and highlight the urgency of overextraction, which is further intensified by restricted natural recharge and uncontrolled well development activity. The study illustrates the applicability of remote sensing techniques in monitoring groundwater in data-poor regions and calls for an immediate policy response to guarantee sustainable groundwater management in Quetta and similar dryland urban settings.