India finds itself on the brink of a looming water crisis as the water levels in the nation’s 150 major reservoirs have plummeted to a mere 35% of their total storage capacity.
This alarming situation, particularly prevalent in the southern regions where six reservoirs have already gone dry and another 20 are operating at single-digit levels, underscores the grave impact of the ongoing El Nino weather phenomenon on the country’s water resources. The repercussions of the depleting reservoir levels are already being felt across various sectors, with cities like Bengaluru grappling with acute water shortages. The scarcity can be attributed to a combination of factors, including deficient rainfall during the previous monsoon season, dwindling reservoir levels, and the loss of natural water bodies due to rapid urbanisation.
India’s struggle with dwindling water resources can be traced back to the El Nino weather phenomenon, which has resulted in reduced rainfall and prolonged dry spells across the country. As a result, 18 states have reported rain deficiency or no rainfall since March, exacerbating the water scarcity situation. Data from the Central Water Commission (CWC) reveals a stark decline in available water levels compared to previous years, with the current storage standing at 17% lower than the corresponding period last year and 2% lower than the ten-year average. The implications of this water scarcity extend beyond immediate challenges, with adverse effects anticipated on agriculture, particularly the ongoing rabi crop and upcoming summer crops in several states. The southern regions, in particular, face a critical situation, with reservoir levels dwindling to a mere 22% of capacity, significantly below the levels recorded in the previous year and the ten-year average. Similarly, the central, eastern, and western regions are grappling with diminishing water reservoirs, raising concerns about agricultural productivity and overall water security.
Against this backdrop, the contraction in the Gross Value Added (GVA) of the agriculture and allied sectors in the October-December quarter highlights the economic ramifications of the water crisis. The decline in agricultural GVA, coupled with subdued growth rates in previous quarters, underscores the urgent need for concerted efforts to address the water scarcity challenge and safeguard the country’s agricultural sector from further distress. As India braces itself for the impending water crisis, policymakers must prioritise sustainable water management strategies and investments in water conservation and irrigation infrastructure to mitigate the adverse impact on agriculture and ensure long-term water security for the nation.
