Water crisis: These cities in Southern India facing severe water scarcity

Amid soaring temperatures, Bengaluru and several other regions in South India are grappling with an acute water crisis that has persisted for over a month. Recent reports from The Hindu highlight a dire situation as the Central Water Commission's latest weekly bulletin warns of potential water shortages in multiple South Indian states due to alarmingly low water levels in key dams across the region.

The study indicates that major reservoirs in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana are operating at only 25% of their capacity or even less.

Mounting water crisis grips Southern Indian states

Notably, significant dams like Tungabhadra in Karnataka and Nagarjuna Sagar on the Andhra Pradesh-Telangana border are holding just 5% or less of their full capacity. Similarly, other crucial reservoirs like Mettur in Tamil Nadu and Srisailam on the Andhra Pradesh-Telangana border are reporting levels below 30% of their total capacity.

The overall water level in 150 primary reservoirs across India is at a concerning 38% of their total capacity, according to the weekly bulletin.

The situation is particularly dire in the southern states, with their 42 reservoirs spread across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu filled to only 23% of their capacity. This marks a significant decline compared to levels observed a year ago, falling short by about 17%, and is nine percentage points lower than the average of the past decade.

The mounting water crisis in these southern Indian states underscores the urgent need for sustainable water management practices and heightened conservation efforts to mitigate the impact of dwindling water resources in the region.

Let's examine this more closely.

Karnataka

In Karnataka, crucial reservoirs reflect alarming water levels, exacerbating concerns over water scarcity. The Linganamakki reservoir in Shivamogga district, designed to hold 4.3 lakh crore litres, stands at a mere 22% capacity. Similarly, the Supa reservoir in Uttara Kannada district, with a capacity of 4.1 lakh crore litres, is at just 36%. The situation is dire at the Tungabhadra dam in Vijayanagara district, which is a mere 5% full despite having a capacity of 3.2 lakh crore litres.

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

Moving to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the Srisailam reservoir bordering the two states, capable of storing 6 lakh crore litres, is at a critically low 15% capacity. Meanwhile, the neighbouring Nagarjuna Sagar dam, with a capacity of 5.1 lakh crore litres, is filled to a meager 4%.

During the ongoing summer, more than half of the urban local bodies in Andhra Pradesh are facing water scarcity, and an acute shortage affects at least seven municipalities. In Kadpaa, Palamaner, Penugonda, Podili, Hindupur, Ongole, and Pedana, they supply drinking water once in three days. The problem's severity is evident since such a situation arose in March itself.

Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu, the Mettur dam in Salem district, designed to hold 2.65 lakh crore litres, reports a concerning 28% capacity.

The ongoing water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery River has escalated, impacting water availability and irrigation in both states. Despite the establishment of the Cauvery Management Authority in 2018 to regulate water distribution, Karnataka's non-compliance with orders has led to a shortfall in Tamil Nadu's water supply. The Mettur dam's water levels have dropped, affecting crucial irrigation in the Cauvery delta.

Kerala

Contrastingly, Kerala stands out as an exception among southern states, with major dams showing healthier levels. The Idukki reservoir is at 47% capacity, the Idamalayar dam at 48%, and both the Kallada and Kakki reservoirs at 50%, providing some relief amidst the broader regional water crisis.

For instance, during the 2023 South-West monsoon, about 27% districts of Kerala experienced a rainfall deficit of 40% or more across various levels of rainfall deficits.

Other industrial states, such as Maharashtra, as well as agricultural states like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, have water levels that are lower than the 10-year average.

Crisis reasons

The ongoing water crisis in South India can be attributed to several key factors. Firstly, the region experienced an eight percent shortfall in rainfall during the southwest monsoon season (June to September) last year compared to the long-term average, as reported by Business Insider. This deficit was further compounded by a 13 percent shortfall in rainfall from October to December during the winter monsoon season.

These persistent deficits have significantly impacted reservoir levels across South India, exacerbating the water scarcity situation. Additionally, the closure of lake networks and excessive groundwater pumping in urban centers like Bengaluru and Hyderabad have worsened the crisis.

Despite these challenges, state administrations assure the public of sufficient water supply until June, with hopes pinned on the upcoming pre-monsoon and monsoon rains to replenish water resources. Positive indicators such as El Niño transitioning to neutral conditions and the anticipated La Niña event suggest the likelihood of average to above-normal monsoon rainfall, providing some relief in the coming months.

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