NEW DELHI: Nearly one-fifth of India is facing drought or drought-like conditions despite the monsoon beginning on a strong note, according to the Drought Early Warning System (DEWS). Experts warn the crisis is hitting not just farms and water supplies, but also public health, with microplastics emerging as a growing concern in drinking water sources.
Severe dryness has been reported in states including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, and several in the Northeast. In many of these regions, rainfall has been 40–70% below normal, leaving fields cracked and reservoirs running low. The India Meteorological Department says 29% of districts are now under arid conditions.
Farmers in districts like Muzaffarpur in Bihar and Kapurthala in Punjab say paddy fields are turning yellow for lack of water. “The plants are just not growing,” said Harjeet Singh, a farmer from Kapurthala. “Even if it rains now, the early crop is already lost.”
Adding to the trouble is the silent spread of microplastics tiny plastic particles found in water, soil, and even the air. Scientists warn they can enter the human body through food and drinking water, potentially causing hormonal imbalances, lung problems, and even heart disease over time. With water bodies drying up, pollutants like microplastics can become more concentrated, raising health risks for rural and urban populations alike.
While the IMD forecasts better rains in the second half of the season, the damage to early crops and the strain on drinking water supplies may take months to recover from. Experts say solutions like rainwater harvesting, improved irrigation, and replacing single-use plastics with alternatives such as cloth, glass, and biodegradable packaging can help reduce both water stress and plastic pollution.