Mishra, VimalVimalMishraAadhar, SaranSaranAadharAsoka, AkarshAkarshAsokaPai, SivanandaSivanandaPaiKumar, RohiniRohiniKumar2025-08-302025-08-302016-12-1610.1002/2016GL0714072-s2.0-85006835737http://repository.iitgn.ac.in/handle/IITG2025/22602The 2015 drought in the Indo-Gangetic Plain posed new challenges related to food and water security and affected the lives of millions. All-India monsoon rainfall in 2015 was the tenth driest year on record (1906–2015) with a deficit of 14.5%, and the Indo-Gangetic Plain witnessed a rainfall deficit of 25.8% (third rank event). Drought severity was amplified by deficits from the previous years in the Indo-Gangetic Plain and other parts of India. The Indo-Gangetic Plain faced a 2 year cumulative deficit of 51%, and the drought of 2014–2015 was unprecedented with a return period of 542 years. The GRACE data showed the occurrence of consecutive negative terrestrial water storage and groundwater anomalies in 2014 and 2015, mainly centered over the Indo-Gangetic Plain region. Notwithstanding uncertainty in future projections, the multiyear droughts in the same regions can pose challenges for water resources and agriculture.falsedrought | GRACE | groundwater | Indo-Gangetic Plain | PDSI | SPIArticle1944800712-11216 December 2016150arJournal133WOS:000392515000019