Haryana, a semi-arid to sub-humid state in northwestern India, is marked by both exorheic (outward-flowing) and endorheic (inward-draining) drainage systems. The endorheic or inland drainage system is predominantly found in the southwestern parts of the state, especially in districts like Mahendragarh, Rewari, Charkhi Dadri, Bhiwani, Fatehabad, and Hisar. This system is characterized by seasonal rivulets, ephemeral streams (such as the Sahibi and Dohan), and depressions like the Dohan Basin and depressional zones around Jhajjar, which fail to reach the sea and instead drain into inland basins or disappear into the sandy soil.

Characteristics of the Endorheic Drainage System

The endorheic system in Haryana is mainly fed by monsoonal rainfall. The ephemeral streams arising from the Aravalli hills, such as the Sahibi, Krishnavati, and Dohan, carry water only during heavy rains and eventually terminate in playas, saline depressions, or percolate into the ground. The Najafgarh drain and the seasonal depression of the Bhindawas and Sultanpur wetlands are also part of this inland system.

Because of the low gradient and sandy soil, water tends to stagnate or get absorbed rather than flow away, leading to the creation of wetlands, salt pans, and seasonal ponds. The inland basins lack permanent outlets, which significantly affects the hydrology of the region.

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Implications for Flood Management

1. Localized Flooding: The absence of a well-developed outlet system causes water accumulation in depressions during intense monsoon rains. This leads to waterlogging and flash floods in low-lying areas like Jhajjar and Rohtak.

2. Drainage Constraints: Inadequate artificial drainage infrastructure exacerbates the problem. The natural endorheic nature makes engineering drainage solutions challenging, as excess water has no natural outlet to rivers or the sea.

3. Urban Flooding: In urbanizing regions like Gurugram and Faridabad, which fall partly within this endorheic zone, the conversion of wetlands and low-lying natural depressions into built-up areas increases runoff and reduces water absorption, making them more flood-prone.

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Implications for Groundwater Recharge

1. Natural Recharge Zones: Inland basins act as crucial recharge zones. The percolation of water from depressions and ephemeral streams helps replenish groundwater in arid and semi-arid zones. Regions like Mahendragarh benefit from this natural recharge mechanism.

2. Salinization Risk: However, poor drainage and high evaporation rates can lead to accumulation of salts, causing soil salinization and affecting groundwater quality.

3. Overextraction vs Recharge: While the endorheic system promotes recharge, rampant groundwater extraction—especially for irrigation—exceeds the natural replenishment rate, causing long-term aquifer depletion. Parts of southern Haryana are already classified as ‘over-exploited’ zones by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).

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Conclusion

The endorheic drainage system of Haryana presents both opportunities and challenges. While it plays a critical role in groundwater recharge, it complicates flood management due to the lack of natural outlets and poor urban planning. Addressing these dual challenges requires integrated watershed development, revival of traditional water bodies, wetland conservation, and artificial recharge initiatives like check dams and recharge wells. A region-specific, hydro-ecological approach is essential for sustainable water management in this fragile endorheic ecosystem.