In the bustling city of Bengaluru, India’s answer to Silicon Valley, a water crisis is unfolding that’s as complex as the code running on the servers of its many tech giants. The city’s nearly 14 million residents are grappling with a severe water shortage, prompting calls for conservation and a reevaluation of urban planning.
Bengaluru’s water supply is in dire straits. The city requires about 2 billion liters of water daily, but recent reports indicate that availability has plummeted by 50%. V. Ram Prasat Manohar, chairman of the city’s water supply and sewage board, paints a stark picture of the current situation. Residents are now being advised to bathe less frequently, use disposable cutlery, and limit the washing of clothes and utensils.
The crisis is not just a matter of inconvenience; it’s a matter of survival. Susheela, a local from the suburb of Bandepalya, describes the desperation as women with empty buckets vie for water from the fortnightly tanker deliveries. The borewells that once sustained them have run dry, and the city’s infrastructure is struggling to keep up with the demand.
Climate scientist T.V. Ramachandra has been sounding the alarm for over a decade. He attributes the crisis to ‘unplanned urban growth, rapid deforestation, and the ongoing climate crisis.’ Bengaluru, once known for its lush greenery and lakes, has seen its ability to recharge groundwater decimated by urban sprawl. ‘Today 83% of Bangalore is covered in concrete,’ Ramachandra laments.
The Cauvery River, which supplies more than 70% of Bengaluru’s water, is also under strain. With a weak monsoon last year, the river’s bounty has diminished, leaving many on the city’s outskirts, who rely on borewells, in a precarious position. Vishwanathan, a civil engineer and water researcher, emphasizes the severity of the situation for those dependent on groundwater.
The human cost of this crisis is profound. Families like Kumkum’s are forced to ration their water usage, impacting their health and hygiene. Social worker Geeta Menon warns of the potential for disease and long-term repercussions if the situation persists.
But it’s not just the poor who are affected. The water shortage is indiscriminate, impacting residents across the socioeconomic spectrum. Apartment complexes are sending out urgent notices to conserve water, and businesses are feeling the pinch as well. The political landscape is no less turbulent, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress party trading accusations over the management of the crisis. But for the residents of Bengaluru, the political squabbles offer little solace. As the city’s water crisis deepens, it’s clear that a sustainable solution is needed. Conservation efforts, better urban planning, and investment in water infrastructure are imperative.
The situation in Bengaluru is a stark reminder of the consequences of rapid development surpassing the capacity of the environment to support it. The ability of the city to thrive as a technological center in the future hinges greatly on its ability to effectively manage and secure its water resources.
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water crisis: B’luru water woes: Citizens in tech capital get innovative to tackle worst crisis – The Economic Times (indiatimes.com)
