| Syllabus: GS- I, Subject: Geography, Topic: Resources, Issue: Water Resources |
Context: Analysis of Central Water Commission data.
Key points:
- South India’s reservoirs are only filled to 23% of their holding capacity.
- The situation is worse than the 2017 summertime water crisis.
Factors responsible for water crisis:
- El Niño events contributing to erratic monsoons.
- General elections in India will result in increased outdoor activity and water demand
- On-ground preparedness and implementation of policies remain inadequate.
- Persistent issues- unplanned urban growth, groundwater over-extraction, low water reuse efficiency, lack of community involvement, and degradation of catchment areas.
Concerns:
- Climate change exacerbates simultaneous crises, such as droughts and disease outbreaks.
- Marginalized groups suffer most from compounded crises
The way ahead:
- Water crises must be understood in this broader context of compounding effects.
- Policymakers must recognize the multifaceted nature of future crises.
