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India is facing a severe water crisis, with significant rivers drying up and reservoirs depleting rapidly. The Central Water Commission (CWC) has reported that at least 13 rivers flowing eastwards between the Mahanadi and Pennar basins currently have no water. This alarming situation affects a vast area of 86,643 square kilometers across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha, which drain into the Bay of Bengal, Down to Earth reported.
The crisis is particularly acute in the agricultural sector, which occupies about 60% of the basin area. With the peak of summer yet to come, the lack of water storage is a grave concern for irrigation, drinking, and domestic needs, as well as for transportation and electricity generation that rely on these water sources.
Cities within the affected basin, such as Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, East Godavari, West Godavari, Srikakulam, and Kakinada, are facing significant challenges. The CWC data indicates a continuous decline in water storage, with levels dropping from 0.062 billion cubic meters (BCM) on February 22 to zero by March 21. This marks a stark contrast to the same period last year when storage was at 32.28% of the basin’s capacity.
As of March 27, 2024, at least 35.2% of India’s area is under some degree of drought, with 7.8% experiencing ‘extreme’ drought and 3.8% under ‘exceptional’ drought. States like Karnataka and Telangana are particularly hard-hit, with major reservoirs drying up due to insufficient rainfall.
India’s major reservoirs are also suffering, with water storage capacity falling to 36% of their total capacity. At least six reservoirs have no water storage, and 86 reservoirs have storage at or below 40%. Most of these reservoirs are located in the southern states, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
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