MONDAY, MAY 19, 2025
The Increasing Issue of Water Shortage in India: A Scientific Investigation of Freshwater Resources
Published on Mar 27, 2025
By EMN
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- Water shortage has become one of the most concerning issues in India, where more than 1. 4 billion individuals rely on freshwater resources for drinking, agriculture, industry, and sanitation. While water resources in the country should adequately meet its requirements, the truth is that freshwater supplies are rapidly diminishing. Approximately 600 million people in India are currently facing high to extreme water stress, according to a report from NITI Aayog, the country's policy think tank. The situation is becoming more critical due to a mix of climate change, swift population increase, agricultural pressures, and the over-utilisation of water resources.
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- India's water crisis extends beyond mere scarcity in the conventional sense; it also involves insufficient distribution, ineffective management, pollution, and rapid depletion of groundwater. As climate change continues to alter weather patterns, India confronts escalating challenges in securing a consistent supply of freshwater.
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- India accounts for about 17% of the global population, yet it possesses only about 4% of the world's renewable freshwater resources. The country's total annual water availability stands at approximately 1,447 cubic meters per capita, a number that is swiftly declining. In 1951, per capita availability was 5,177 cubic meters. By 2021, this had fallen below the 1,500 cubic meter mark, which the United Nations designates as the dividing line between water-stressed and water-scarce nations. Should this trend persist, India will soon be teetering on the edge of a significant water crisis.
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- Although India is home to major rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Godavari, its freshwater resources are not evenly distributed. For example, the north-eastern regions of India experience ample rainfall, while many parts of the nation, particularly the north-western and southern areas, encounter substantial water shortages. The uneven geographical allocation of water, coupled with seasonal variations in rainfall, renders India particularly susceptible to water scarcity.
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- A primary factor contributing to water scarcity in India is climate change, which has changed the country's rainfall patterns. India depends significantly on monsoon rains, which a report from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology suggests that although the total amount of rainfall has not significantly decreased, the occurrence of extreme rainfall events has surged. This disrupts the natural water cycle, complicating the recharge of rivers and groundwater aquifers. Furthermore, increasing temperatures have resulted in higher evaporation rates, further diminishing the available water supply.
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- Groundwater serves as a vital water source for India, especially in rural regions where surface water resources are scarce. The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) states that around 85% of rural drinking water requirements in India are met by groundwater, with the irrigation sector consuming 60% of groundwater. Regrettably, excessive extraction of groundwater, particularly for irrigation purposes, has resulted in a dramatic drop in groundwater levels throughout the nation.
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- In regions such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, the depletion of groundwater has reached critical levels. In Punjab, for example, groundwater levels have declined by as much as 100 meters over the last few decades. Consequently, farmers must dig deeper wells or rely on costly pumping technologies, which heightens their expenses and depletes water resources further. The excessive extraction of groundwater has also resulted in a decline in water quality, with many wells displaying elevated salinity and contamination levels.
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- The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) approximates that about 70% of India's surface water is polluted, making it unfit for consumption or irrigation. Water pollution not only restricts access to clean water but also poses a significant public health threat, leading to the proliferation of waterborne illnesses such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid, which impact millions of individuals annually.
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- Agriculture is the predominant water user in India, representing roughly 80% of the nation's total water consumption. Nevertheless, India's agricultural sector is still largely reliant on inefficient irrigation techniques, especially flood irrigation. This conventional approach results in considerable water loss through evaporation, runoff, and deep percolation. The cultivation of water-demanding crops like rice, sugarcane, and cotton in water-scarce areas further intensifies the issue.
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- The National Water Mission, part of the government's National Action Plan on Climate Change, has emphasized the necessity for more effective irrigation systems, such as drip irrigation and sprinkler systems, to save water. Despite governmental initiatives to endorse these systems, their uptake remains sluggish due to high initial costs and a lack of knowledge among farmers.
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- India's swift urbanization has caused a surge in water demand in cities, where the population is expected to reach 600 million by 2031. As urban areas grow, the infrastructure for water supply often fails to keep pace, resulting in water shortages. The over-extraction of groundwater and the pollution of surface water resources additionally worsen urban water scarcity.
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- Water scarcity in India is intricately connected to public health. The absence of clean drinking water and sanitation facilities facilitates the spread of waterborne diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), waterborne diseases account for around 37. 7 million cases in India each year, leading to significant mortality and health issues. In rural regions, where individuals depend on contaminated rivers or ponds for drinking water, the risks of waterborne diseases are even more pronounced.
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- India is confronting a severe water crisis that threatens its future prosperity. Climate change, groundwater over-exploitation, pollution, and inefficient water management are key factors driving this crisis. The effect of water scarcity are extensive, impacting public health, agriculture, the economy, and the environment. However, through synchronized efforts, sustainable water management strategies, and technological advancements, India can alleviate the effects of this crisis. The government, industries, and citizens need to collaborate to tackle the water challenges, ensuring a water-secure future for everyone.
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- Shiken Manpahu
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- M.A 4th Semester
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- Dept. of Journalism and Mass communication
Nagaland Districts
