In the wake of climate-change induced deficient rainfall, inadequate rainwater storage, and water-intensive agriculture practices, India stands on the precipice of a looming water scarcity crisis. Recent data from the India Meteorological Department paints a grim picture, with the South-West monsoon during June-August 2023 registering below-normal rainfall in 42 percent of the country’s districts. Alarming statistics reveal that August rainfall was 32 percent below average nationwide and a staggering 62 percent below in the southern states. This August marked the lowest rainfall in India in 122 years, setting the stage for potentially severe water shortages across various regions.
Despite being home to the world’s largest water resources, India’s escalating water demand, driven by rapid changes in agriculture and industrial activities, is pushing the nation towards a critical juncture. Current estimates suggest that India can sustainably use 1,121 billion cubic meters (bcm) of water annually. However, Ministry of Water Resources data predict that by 2025, water demand will reach 1,093 bcm and skyrocket to 1,447 bcm by 2050, painting a dire picture of a major water crisis within a decade.
Water scarcity is already a harsh reality in India, with approximately 76 percent of the population living in areas where the per capita water availability falls below the Falkenmark Water Index’s critical threshold of 1,700 cubic meters per year.
Deficient monsoon rainfall alone cannot shoulder the blame for this impending crisis. Rapid economic growth, particularly in agriculture, has caused a relentless surge in water demand since 1990-91. Unfortunately, there have been no substantial efforts to develop new water sources or enhance the storage capacity of existing ones to meet this surging demand.
Historically, rivers, small water bodies, and domestic wells have catered to daily water needs. Neglected maintenance of these resources, coupled with climate change, has resulted in a reduction in rainy days and increased instances of drought. Reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warn of continued rainfall reduction, which will intensify water scarcity and negatively impact lives, livestock, wildlife, and economies. The World Bank’s 2016 report, ‘Climate Change, Water, and Economy,’ underscores the perilous economic consequences water-scarce nations may face by 2050.
To mitigate this impending crisis, India must take immediate action. Recent data from the Central Water Commission reveals that major reservoirs’ water storage as of August 31 was 23 percent less than the previous year. As global warming leads to erratic rainfall patterns, India must make challenging decisions to avert water scarcity. The perception of water scarcity fading once the monsoon season begins must be replaced with proactive, year-round water conservation measures.
Given the shrinking quantum of rainfall and fewer rainy days due to climate change, India must prioritize rainwater harvesting efforts wherever feasible. Alas, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources highlights encroachments on many small water bodies, with the Ministry of Water Resources’ 2023 census reporting that 38,486 water bodies have been encroached upon. Stringent measures are urgently needed to reclaim these vital resources.
Currently, a staggering 85 percent of India’s utilizable water is consumed by the agricultural sector. Addressing this requires altering cropping patterns and implementing minimum support policies to discourage water-intensive crops like paddy, sugarcane, and bananas. The MS Swaminathan committee’s findings on ‘More Crop and Income Per Drop of Water’ (2006) suggest that drip and sprinkler irrigation can save up to 50 percent of water while boosting crop yields by 40-60 percent. Roughly 70 million hectares have been identified as potential areas for such water-saving techniques. Promoting micro-irrigation for water-intensive crops in severely water-scarce areas should be a priority.
Water, once regarded as a public good, is now evolving into a precious commodity. With shifting rainfall patterns, severe water shortages may become frequent in the future. Storing water during deficit rainfall periods is imperative to avert a future of water poverty.