Dipping reservoir stores in South India raise alarms on possible water shortages ahead

The issue of Bengaluru's water crisis is currently dominating various news platforms, highlighting the challenges faced by residents and the efforts made by the Karnataka government to address the situation. This problem is indicative of the widespread water scarcity across South India.

With the world recently having commemorated Water Day 2024, it's pertinent to acknowledge our recurring failure in addressing this crisis whenever there's a shortfall in rainfall. The changing climate, leading to erratic weather patterns, exacerbates this collective failure, posing potential irreparable damages to socio-economic and ecological systems.

A worsening crisis

This year, the southwest monsoon season (June to September), crucial for rainfall in southern states, experienced a significant 8% deficit compared to the long-term average in 2023. Additionally, the winter monsoon season (October to December) also saw a 13% rainfall deficit in the region.

These consecutive deficits, along with insufficient rainfall this year, have adversely affected reservoir levels across South India. Urban centers in the region, including Bengaluru and Hyderabad, face the consequences, exacerbated by the closure of lake networks and excessive groundwater pumping in recent years

Dipping water stores

According to the latest weekly report by the Central Water Commission (CWC), the combined storage capacity of 42 reservoirs in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu stands at 23% of their total live storage capacity, significantly lower than last year's levels (39%) and the ten-year average (32%).

State-wise reservoir levels this week indicate a severe shortage, with Andhra Pradesh at 69% below normal, and Tamil Nadu (30%), Karnataka (24%), and Telangana (12%) also below normal. Kerala is the only state maintaining slightly above normal reservoir levels at 1%.

Rivers such as the Krishna and Cauvery exhibit deficient storage levels, reflecting the widespread shortage in various regions. North India (33%), West India (45%), and Central India (46%) also face storage levels much lower than the ten-year average.

The road ahead

Looking ahead, despite current shortages, many state governments assure the public of sufficient water until June, with expectations of pre-monsoon and monsoon rains to replenish water resources. Reports of El Niño transitioning to neutral and a forthcoming La Niña event suggest normal to above-normal monsoon rainfall.

In Bengaluru, residents are advised against using Cauvery and borewell water for festivities like Holi, although no additional water use restrictions have been imposed by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) for the festival. Given the nation's reservoir levels, celebrating a dry Holi seems prudent not only in Bengaluru but across the country.