ALARMING WATER CRISIS !!

Major cities in India continue the risk of running dry by 2030, reservoirs in western and southern India are worst affected.

Following the late arrival of monsoon on the coast of Kerala, a week behind June 1, the western and southern region in India is facing a severe water shortage. With Maharastra topping the list, its combined levels of water reservoirs stand 83% below the normal level. Gujrat in the west and Andra in the south are also severely affected.

According to CWC (central water commission) which monitors the storage position of various reservoirs nationally, the average level of water storage of the entire country is well above the level in the same corresponding week of last year. These data points out how the water abundant states compensate for the average national storage levels, while the states most affected had no representation in the figure.

While the western and southern part is in crisis, the northern and western part is in a much better state, with reservoirs well above the normal level (average level of past 10 years). While the water levels continue to fall throughout the country, the demand for water will be doubled than that of supply by 2030. Major cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad continue the risk of running completely dry.

The new Jal Shakti ministry inducted by the newly elected government in the center is a step towards better management in this specific domain. Years after independence, still more than 80% of farmlands are dependent on seasonal monsoon. This causes mishap in the time of late or inadequate rainfall. The steps toward better management of water resources should be taken. Earlier 10 different departments were in charge of such operation. The new ministry following a holistic approach will act as an aid towards timely management of the resources.

Rainwater harvesting and recycling used water should be at the forefront of the agenda. In Devas, the government with the help of local communities had set up small ponds around the villages, which helped increase groundwater level by 150%, just using rainwater. The model can be replicated in other parts of the country. While the rainfall in the catchment area plays a crucial role in the success of such a model, the catchment area drives the rainwater from the area with rainfall into the reservoirs. The program also helped to build social conscience towards conservation of such vital resource. 

Recycling used water is also a method to tackle such situation. Recycled used water can be used in irrigation. Israel is also facing a severe water crisis, it uses almost 80% of recycled used water for irrigation, India should look forwards towards implementing such radical shifts. This will both help the farmers and will keep water level intact.

The newly elected government in the parliament should focus on promoting micro-irrigation in various villages similar to what Gujrat has tried. While north and west are out of the crisis, a long term map should be drawn to promote optimum use of water resources. This can be only achieved by spreading awareness among the masses. Through dialogues and working with the community to achieve this inevitable goal.