Page 55 - Haryana Water Resources Atlas 2025

Actual Evapotranspiration (AET)

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Scale
Kms
0 12.5 25 50 75 100

vapotranspiration refers to the collective processes through
which water moves from the land surface to the atmosphere,
Eincluding evaporation and transpiration. Evaporation involves
the transfer of water from the soil surface, capillary fringe of the Ground
Water level, and water bodies on land to the atmosphere. Transpiration,
on the other hand, occurs when plants absorb water from the soil and
release water vapor through their leaves into the air.

Figure 21 presents the actual evapotranspiration (AET) values for the
year 2023 in Haryana, ranging from 500 to 1500 mm per year, derived
and adjusted from satellite-based products. AET values below 500 mm
per year are observed in the built-up areas of all districts. Small patches
in Hisar and Bhiwani districts show AET in the range of 500 to 600 mm
per year. AET ranging from 600 to 900 mm per year covers most of the
major districts in the state. This category includes significant portions of
southern districts such as Hisar, Bhiwani, Charki Dadri, Jhajjar,
Mahendragarh, Rewari, Mewat, Gurugram, and Faridabad, along with
minor parts of the remaining districts. Central and western parts of
Haryana experience AET ranging from 900 to 1200 mm per year. This
category includes portions of Sirsa, Fatehabad, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar,
Rohtak, Sonipat, Panipat, Karnal, Yamunanagar, and Palwal districts.
AET exceeding 1200 mm per year is mostly observed along the Yamuna
belt in the northeastern part of the state, with a small patch in
Panchkula district.
Temperature has a significant influence on AET, as higher temperatures
lead to increased evapotranspiration. In the semi-arid region, water
resources are limited, and even slight changes can further strain the
already stressed system. Understanding the trends in AET and other
weather parameters can be purposefully utilized to develop climate
change scenarios and evaluate their impact on soil, water, salinity, and
crop production through controlled studies in arid regions of Haryana.
AET is an important parameter in crop and water management
activities and provides valuable information on water losses and water
balance in a region. As AET exceeds rainfall in all districts, it
exacerbates water deficits through evapotranspiration losses.

Figure 21. Actual Evapotranspiration Data Source-HARSAC

Haryana Water Resources Atlas 37|