Environment: Water Crisis
Last year, India cheered when the meteorological department declared a “normal monsoon” after two consecutive years of weak rains and severe droughts in various parts of the country. This year the IMD has predicted a near-normal monsoon. But Skymet has said that there could be below-normal rains across the country. This could affect the drinking water availability, across the country.
As it is, the per capita availability of water in the country is on the decline. Over one-third of the 91 reservoirs across the country are filled below capacity. Only 6 per cent of the annual rainwater is stored. Majority of the villages across the country are without a regular water supply. To add to it, there is the ever increasing groundwater exploitation.
The bitter truth is that we have failed to “drought-proof” ourselves with the required infrastructure and water management system. With a projected population growth, there is simply not enough water to cater to this demand. More importantly, there is huge mismanagement in the way we are consuming, distributing and managing this scarce resource.
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