Bengaluru, known as India’s Silicon Valley, is currently facing its worst water crisis in decades, with residents struggling due to low water levels and high costs for water. The city of 13 million people has received little rainfall in recent years, exacerbated by human-caused climate change. Emergency measures are being implemented by city and state authorities, such as nationalising water tankers and capping water costs. Despite efforts, 6,900 borewells have run dry, forcing residents to rely on water tankers from nearby villages.
Experts attribute the crisis to a combination of factors including El Nino, reduced rainfall, and lack of groundwater recharge. The city’s dependence on groundwater has been unsustainable, with a new piped water supply from the Cauvery River still incomplete. Experts suggest focusing on replenishing lakes, stopping construction on lake areas, encouraging rainwater harvesting, and increasing green cover across the city to alleviate the crisis.
Residents like S Prasad are already taking measures to conserve water, with water rationing and installation of water meters becoming common practice. The situation has started to impact daily life, with some considering leaving the city if the water shortage worsens. As the city grapples with dwindling water supply and rising costs, long-term solutions and sustainable water management practices are essential to mitigate the crisis and ensure the well-being of Bengaluru’s residents.
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