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Major droughts linked to ancient Indus Valley Civilization's collapse

Four prolonged droughts caused by a 0.5°C temperature rise fragmented the Indus Valley Civilisation, prompting migration to more water-secure regions, researchers say.

  • Successive major droughts, lasting over 85 years each, likely contributed to the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization between 4,450 and 3,400 years ago.
  • Climate simulations and data from cave stalagmites and lake levels showed a 10-20% decrease in rainfall and 0.5°C temperature increase in the region during this period.
  • The Indus Valley settlements shifted towards the Indus River around 4,500 years ago, likely due to droughts affecting water availability, eventually leading to deurbanization by 3,418 years ago.
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19 Articles

Sydney Morning HeraldSydney Morning Herald
+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
Lean Left

How an ancient civilisation survived 1000 years of climate change

The Indus River Valley in South Asia hosted one of the most advanced societies at the time, along with Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt. Then it mysteriously disappeared.

·Sydney, Australia
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Harappa, one of the most advanced cities of the Indus Valley civilization, collapsed after dealing with prolonged droughts, according to a research published on Thursday, November 27 by the magazine Communications Earth & Environment.The city was located near the current Indus River, in areas that today correspond to Pakistan and northwestern India.During its peak, it showed a high level of urban planning, a complex water management system and s…

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The Washington Post broke the news in on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
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