Don't dilute India's water problem

India is one of the most water-stressed countries in the world - it has 18% of the global population, but only 4% of its water resources. It's also among the most severely impacted by climate change - which means erratic monsoons and reduced rainfall. So, the news that dams across northern India - in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan - are reporting significantly lower water levels, even with monsoon is at its peak, is worrying. The 10 major reservoirs monitored by Central Water Commission (CWC) in these states, with a combined capacity of 19.663 bn cubic metres, hold only 51% of their total storage capacity. In contrast, storage level at this time last year was 88%, while average storage over the past decade was 71%.

The dip in water levels can impact storage, irrigation, power generation and drinking water availability, leading to overexploitation of precious groundwater. But blaming reduced rainfall alone would be self-defeating. According to the 2021 UN report, 'Ageing Dams of India', the country's 1,115 large dams will be 50 yr old by 2025, some reaching 150 years of service by 2050. These old dams have a faster rate of storage loss due to sedimentation and seepage. Storage space in reservoirs is also receding faster than anticipated. Yet, information about this continues to be sporadically documented.

India's challenge is to secure sufficient water to provide its rising population and ensure growth. So, it's crucial to stop taking monsoon rains for granted and, instead, invest time, effort and money in maintaining dams. Also, prudent management of hydro resources, using the latest forecasting technologies and real-time data collection, can help overcome the growing water challenge. This needs to be prioritised.