Bengaluru, often hailed as 'India's Silicon Valley,' is grappling with a severe water shortage this year, just months before the peak summer season. The city's residents are being forced to ration their water use and are facing nearly double the usual costs to meet their daily needs.
Weak southwest monsoon rains have significantly depleted groundwater levels and reduced water reserves in the Cauvery River basin reservoirs, which are the primary sources of water for the southern Indian metropolis. Home to approximately 14 million people and thousands of IT companies and startups, Bengaluru's water woes are impacting both its residents and its thriving tech industry.
The scarcity has led to a surge in water tanker prices. In some areas of Bengaluru, the cost of a 12,000-liter tanker has skyrocketed to 2,000 rupees ($24.11) from 1,200 rupees ($14.47) just a month ago. Santhosh C.A., a resident of Horamavu in north Bengaluru, shared his struggles: \"We now need to book water tankers two days in advance, my plants are dying and I'm taking alternate-day showers.\"
Another resident expressed concerns about the future, stating, \"The worry now is that despite paying, the tanker vendors won't show up due to scarcity of groundwater.\"
The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), responsible for the city's water supply, relies heavily on the Cauvery River, which originates at Talakaveri in Karnataka and flows through Tamil Nadu before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. To address the impending crisis, the BWSSB has appealed to authorities for additional water from the Cauvery basin, according to a letter obtained by Reuters.
As Bengaluru navigates these challenging times, the hope is that timely interventions and sustainable water management practices will alleviate the city's water shortage and support its vibrant community and economy.
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'India's Silicon Valley' Bengaluru suffers from water shortage
cgtn.com
