India is grappling with an escalating water crisis worse by rising temperatures with 2024 recorded as the hottest year since 1901. As heatwaves intensified the country saw 733 deaths due to extreme heat according to a report by Heat Watch.
The gap between water availability and consumption termed the water gap is increasing at an alarming rate. A study in Nature Communications found that India leads globally in water scarcity, with a baseline shortfall of 24.3 cubic km per year. Under a 1.5°C warming scenario, this gap is projected to increase by 11.1 cubic km annually, further straining resources.
The worst-affected basins include the Ganga-Brahmaputra (56.1 cubic km per year) and Sabarmati (52.6 cubic km per year), where water demand far exceeds supply.
Government Efforts and Sustainable Solutions
In response, the Indian government’s Jal Jeevan Mission has expanded tap water access, with 154 million households receiving connections by the end of 2024. Additionally, groundwater recharge efforts have shown promise, with an increase of 15 billion cubic metres in annual replenishment while extraction has declined.
Protecting lakes and ponds from encroachment and investing in recharge infrastructure remain critical for securing India’s water future. As global temperatures continue to rise, sustainable water management will be essential to prevent an escalating crisis.