Multi-temporal analysis of groundwater depletion-induced land subsidence in Central Ganga Alluvial plain, Northern India

Abstract

This study explores the Persistent Scatterer Interferometry technique to identify the developing pattern of groundwater depletion-induced land subsidence in Lucknow, northern India. The results show the development of two significant subsidence zones, one each in the north and south of Lucknow. The situation is potentially alarming as ∼9.3% (∼27.6 km2) of the total area is under the expression of a weak degree of subsidence (∼10–40 mm/yr). The detected displacement trends substantially correspond to the constant dwindling of groundwater levels in the city, further indicating that the first unconfined aquifer is under high stress and faces a continuous storage capacity loss with time. The time-series displacement trends have been later forecasted using the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average method, indicating the city might face subsidence at the rate of ∼25–40 mm/yr. The findings of this study are significant to take precise mitigation measures in the areas facing continuous groundwater depletion on a long-term basis. © 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.