Hydrogeomorphological Assessment and Prioritized Modelling of Groundwater Scarcity in the Kangsabati River Basin...

Groundwater resource depletion constitutes a major global environmental challenge, requiring robust quantitative frameworks to optimize localized water sustainability initiatives. This study examines the hydrogeomorphological characteristics of the Kangsabati River Basin to assess groundwater scarcity and identify priority areas for management. Total 47 morphometric indicators were analysed to understand their influence on groundwater conditions. The basin shows a well-developed but uneven drainage network, reflecting marked differences in infiltration potential and groundwater availability across subwatersheds. To rank the subwatersheds based on the severity of groundwater scarcity, six multiattribute decision-making (MADM) methods were applied. The analysis incorporated widely used techniques, including the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), Vlsekriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR), simple additive weighting (SAW), composite compromise solution (CoCoSo), multiobjective optimization by ratio analysis (MOORA) and evaluation based on distance from average solution (EDAS). The combined assessment highlights the complexity of comparing groundwater stress across a geomorphologically diverse basin while also demonstrating the value of MADM approaches for producing consistent and transparent prioritisation. The findings reveal significant spatial variability in groundwater conditions, with several subwatersheds such as 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 14, 15 and 18 showing clear signs of scarcity. These results highlight the need for targeted recharge measures, improved water conservation strategies and more effective watershed-level planning. This study provides a structured framework for assessing groundwater scarcity and supports informed decision-making for sustainable water resource management in the Kangsabati River Basin.