Water scarcity is a global crisis affecting billions of people worldwide. About half of the world faces severe water scarcity for most of the year.

In India, this is made worse by cities facing rapid urbanization, over-extraction of groundwater, and climate change. The country is home to about 17% of the world’s population but has only 3% of the world’s freshwater resources.

Bengaluru, the Silicon Valley of India, faces a daily water shortfall of 500 million liters, nearly 20% of its total demand. This isn’t just a Bengaluru battle anymore; it’s a nationwide crisis looming over the Indian urban landscape.

A World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) report predicts severe water scarcity for hundreds of cities worldwide by 2050, impacting 350 million people and important economies. Among these, 30 Indian cities, including Jaipur, Indore, and Mumbai, are at risk of increasing water problems in the coming future. 

Several other Indian cities are also experiencing a similar situation. Addressing this water crisis is crucial for ensuring sustainable water for the future. 

Major Causes For Water Shortages In India

1)- Urbanization:

Many people have moved to metro cities in India in the past few years, increasing urbanization. By 2030, 40% of India’s population is expected to live in urban areas, up from 34% in 2011. This rapid urban growth has lead to higher water demand, but the cities’ water infrastructure can’t keep up, resulting in water shortages.

2)- Over-Extraction of Groundwater:

Groundwater is one of the most important sources of water. It is one of the primary sources of irrigation and rural and urban water supply. Around 30% of India’s freshwater is stored as groundwater, mostly in aquifers below the Earth’s surface.

However, excessive extraction has resulted in its depletion. This has left Indians heavily dependent on groundwater for nearly all their water needs, causing water scarcity.

3)- Climate Change:

Climate change affects rainfall patterns causing long droughts and less water availability. According to a study by CANSA, 14 million people in India moved due to climate change in 2020. The problem is set to get worse with a 3.2-degree increase by 2050. The low rainfall in the past years has also taken a toll on the water crisis in India.

4)- Pollution:

Pollution is one of the major reasons for the water crisis in India. Industrial, agricultural, and domestic waste pollutes the water. More than half of India’s rivers are polluted. Many others are considered unsafe by modern standards.

Activities like Dumping human waste into them and bathing and washing clothes in rivers add to water pollution.

5)- Poor Water Management:

Inefficient water management makes the water crisis worse. This comes from a lack of infrastructure and mislocated resources. Lack of planning and investment in water conservation adds to the water crisis.

Indian Cities To Face Water Shortage In Near Future

In seven of India’s 10 biggest cities, groundwater levels have dropped significantly in the past two decades. A NITI Aayog report says that nearly 70 percent of India’s water is contaminated, affecting three in four people.

With the arrival of summer, people in these Indian cities struggle to meet their daily water demands. Here, we highlight the top 10 Indian cities at severe water risk in the near future. Let’s understand and explore the current water demands and issues these cities face.

1)- Bengaluru

Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, has been facing a severe water crisis recently. The city has witnessed one of the worst water shortages in the country, with a 70% reduction in its water-spread area due to the worst drought in decades.

The city’s water sources include the Cauvery River and groundwater. It relies heavily on groundwater, which is inadequate because of scarce rainfall and poor rainwater harvesting.

With a population of 1.40 crore, the city is surely having a tough time meeting its people’s water needs. Rapid urbanization has further worsened the water shortage. 

2)- Mumbai

Mumbai faces a high water shortage because of its dense population and inadequate infrastructure. The water level in the lakes has already been reduced by 10.28%, making it difficult for BMC to provide water to the residents.

The city’s dependence on monsoon rains for water supply makes it vulnerable to climate change impact and with no southwest monsoon anytime soon, the city is also fighting for the last drop of water. 

3)- Delhi

At a time when the temperature in the northern plains is close to 45 degrees Celsius, the capital city is facing a major water crisis. Delhi faces an acute water supply crisis in peak summer due to water depletion in river channels. This has led to the city’s heavy dependence on neighboring states to meet around 90% of its drinking water demands. 

The growing population is placing immense pressure on its water resources. Pollution of the Yamuna River, one of Delhi’s major sources of water, has made things worse. Due to the water crisis in Delhi, many households in the city are forced to rely on tankers and cans to meet their daily needs. 

4)- Chennai

It’s not the first time the city of Chennai has gone through a major water crisis, it first witnessed this in 2019 and the problem seems to have only aggravated through the years. 

As the summer heat intensifies, Veernam Lake City’s primary lake has run dry. The lake is the major source of drinking water for the city, however, the services stopped on February 24th, 2024, due to a lack of inflow from Mettuur dam. The other reservoirs are also experiencing a decline, making it difficult for the city to have enough water. 

5)- Jaipur

With temperatures in the city rising above 40 degrees, the water crisis is becoming worse. The heatwave in the city could lead to further water scarcity. The groundwater had gone by, and demand for tanker gas increased by 10%.

The availability of water has reduced to 35% than last year. Last year, the groundwater was at 10-15 feet. Now, it has gone down to 100 ft. The government urges people to use water wisely. 

6)- Indore

The city of Malwa region, which was once filled with water, is now covered by a red zone of underground water. An increase in population and uncontrolled exploitation of groundwater has led to a water crisis in Indore.

The city is witness to an all-time low water level, which is below 160 metres. The government has taken strict measures to prevent further depletion of water. It has banned all types of boring activities for the summer season. The municipal board is also preparing against using of tankers for water supply. 

7)- Lucknow

The capital city of Uttar Pradesh is facing a major water crisis. The city’s residents extract groundwater equal to one-third of the capacity of Bhakra Nangal Dam every year to quench their thirst. The city has also witnessed a sharp decline in rainfall through the years. Residents are asking for better facilities and consideration from the municipality to end to their misery. 

8)- Baroda

Once a busy city in Gujarat today is undergoing a major water crisis. The city depends heavily on reservoirs for its water demands and today as the water levels sharply decline ,the city is facing a major water crisis. Another major problem is persistent water line breaks that make it difficult for water to reach citizens. 

9)- Bathinda

A city known for its industrialization has been a victim of the water crisis in Punjab. Bathinda faces water scarcity due to industrial pollution and over-extraction of groundwater. Industries tend to release a large amount of waste that pollutes the water, making it unfit for consumption.

The city, also home to many farmers, has seen a sharp decline in agriculture because of the water crisis. The municipality and the water board are trying their best to meet the needs of the people in the city.

10)- Kolkata

Another capital city of West Bengal, Kolkata has been affected by major water shortages as groundwater as it hits a new all-time low. The demand for water tankers has increased by one and a half times.

The KMC (Kolkata Municipal Corporation) ensures an uninterrupted water supply for Kolkata’s residents. The department has installed 20 semi-underground reservoirs cum booster pumping stations in the past five years to make it convenient for the residents.

Conclusion

Water scarcity is a big threat to many Indian cities. It’s driven by urbanization, overuse of groundwater, and climate change. Addressing this crisis requires quick, coordinated efforts. Both people and local boards must act upon it. 

It is important to implement sustainable water management practices, promote water conservation, and enhance regulatory frameworks. Protecting water resources will not only secure the cities’ future but also secure water access for generations to come.

By taking these steps, we can reduce the impacts of water shortages. We can also build a community that can withstand future water challenges. Investing in water security will improve both the availability and quality of water. It will also help in contributing to India’s overall economic and social development.