• UGI USER
  • Apr 01, 2024
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WATER CRISIS INTENSIFIES IN SOUTH INDIA

Syllabus:

  • GS 1: Important Geophysical Phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.,
  • GS 3 : Climate Change and its effects.

Why in the News?

  • The article highlights the worsening water deficit in South India’s reservoirs, emphasizing the imminent water crisis.
  • With only 23% water storage capacity available and multiple influencing factors like El Niño events and climate change, the situation is expected to exacerbate socio-economic challenges, demanding urgent attention and intervention.
Source: Medium

Reservoir Capacity Concerns:

  • Low Levels: South India’s reservoirs are filled to only 23% of their holding capacity.
  • Decreasing Trend: A decrease of nine percentage points compared to the rolling decadal average.
  • Impending Crisis: Signals an impending and severe water crisis.
  • Previous Scarcity: Last significant summertime water scarcity was experienced in 2017.
  • Severity Anticipation: Current crisis anticipated to be more severe due to multiple contributing factors.

Influence of El Niño on Monsoons:

  • Erratic Monsoons: El Niño events make monsoons more erratic.
  • Historical Strength: Ongoing El Niño event is among the five strongest recorded in history.
  • Past Event: Previous El Niño event occurred during 2014-16.
  • Worsening Conditions: Climate predictions indicate worsening conditions with a 93% chance of record-breaking temperatures until 2026.
  • Climate Impact: Erratic monsoons exacerbate the water scarcity issue.

Impact of Climate Change on Water Scarcity:

  • Simultaneous Crises: Low and middle-income countries like India face simultaneous crises due to climate change.
  • Weather Event Changes: Climate change alters the frequency and co-occurrence of weather events.
  • Compound Challenges: Droughts and disease outbreaks may now happen simultaneously, intensifying socio-economic challenges.
  • Vulnerable Populations: Water scarcity amplifies the effects of other crises, compounding challenges for vulnerable populations.
  • Government Response: Governments’ inaction or inadequate response indicates a failure to recognize or address the gravity of the situation.
Understanding El- Nino

·   Nino is a climatic phenomenon characterized by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

·   Originating off the coast of Peru, it was named “El Nino” by Spanish fishermen, translating to “the little boy” in Spanish.

·   During El Nino events, regions across the world, including India, experience reduced rainfall and higher temperatures.

·   Sea Surface Temperatures (SST) in the equatorial Pacific can increase by at least 0.5°C compared to the long-term average.

·   Strong El Nino episodes, such as the one in 2015-2016, can witness temperature anomalies peaking at up to 3°C.

·   El Nino events are irregular, occurring unpredictably at intervals ranging from two to seven years.

·   This phenomenon is closely associated with the Southern Oscillation, a change in air pressure over the tropical Pacific Ocean.

Kerala’s Growing Water Scarcity:

  • Severe Deficit: Kerala experiences severe rain deficit leading to a drought-like situation.
  • Recent Deficits: Recorded a 24% rainfall deficit in 2023 and a 34% deficit in the last southwest monsoon.
  • Groundwater Depletion: Groundwater levels are depleting rapidly as reservoirs dry up.
  • Crisis Imminent: If no rainfall occurs by mid-April, a severe water crisis is imminent.
  • Rainfall Dependency: Last southwest monsoon accounts for 70% of Kerala’s annual rainfall.

Post-Flood Groundwater Decline:

  • Sharp Decline: Sharp decline in groundwater levels post the devastating 2018 floods.
  • Impact on Recharge: Flood-induced changes hamper water percolation and river carrying capacity.
  • Negative Recharge Impact: Floods negatively impacted the recharge of groundwater and overall river capacity.
  • Groundwater Recharge Challenge: Kerala’s inability to recharge groundwater post floods aggravates the present crisis.
  • Environmental Changes: Flood-induced changes adversely affect both groundwater recharge and river flow.

Climate Change and Kerala’s Altered Climate Patterns:

  • Dramatic Changes: Kerala’s climate has changed dramatically over the past few years.
  • Monsoon Pattern Change: Monsoons now have longer dry spells interspersed with short heavy rainfall.
  • Rising Temperatures: Summers are getting hotter, affecting water availability and increasing demand.
  • Dams Insufficient: Despite having 81 dams to harness water, Kerala faces a severe water shortage due to environmental degradation.
  • Adaptive Strategies: Climate change exacerbates the water scarcity issue, requiring adaptive strategies and improved water management.

Environmental Degradation and Its Impact on Water Resources:

  • Natural Water Body Destruction: Destruction of natural water bodies and wetlands reduces the land’s water absorption capacity.
  • Disruptive Activities: Rampant quarrying, deforestation, and construction activities disrupt the natural drainage system.
  • Vulnerability Exposed: Floods in 2018 exposed Kerala’s vulnerability to heavy rainfall.
  • Inefficient Rain Utilization: Current water crisis highlights Kerala’s inability to utilize available rain effectively.
  • Conservation Urgency: Urgent need for rejuvenating and conserving water bodies through rainwater harvesting, check dams construction, and pond restoration.

Way Forward:

  1. Immediate Water Management: Prioritize immediate water conservation and management strategies to ensure equitable distribution and efficient utilization.
  2. Enhanced Reservoir Management: Implement measures to improve water storage capacity, including desilting and restoration of reservoirs.
  3. Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Promote climate-resilient agricultural practices to minimize water usage and ensure food security.
  4. Public Awareness Campaigns: Launch public awareness campaigns on water conservation, emphasizing the importance of sustainable water usage.
  5. Strengthening Water Infrastructure: Invest in modernizing water infrastructure to reduce leakages and improve water supply efficiency.
  6. Groundwater Recharge: Implement groundwater recharge programs, including rainwater harvesting and recharge pits.
  7. Policy Reforms: Enact and enforce policies that regulate groundwater extraction and promote sustainable water management practices.
  8. Collaborative Approach: Foster collaboration between government, local communities, and stakeholders to develop and implement water conservation strategies.
  9. Research and Development: Invest in research and development to explore innovative solutions for water conservation and management.
  10. Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish a robust monitoring and evaluation mechanism to track progress, identify challenges, and adapt strategies for effective water resource management.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, addressing the water crisis in South India and Kerala demands immediate action, policy reforms, and community involvement. A holistic approach focusing on water conservation, infrastructure enhancement, and sustainable practices is crucial to mitigate the adverse impacts of the escalating water deficit and ensure a resilient future.

Source: 

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/compounding-crises-on-the-impact-of-a-summertime-water-crisis/article68013101.ece

https://www.newindianexpress.com/editorials/2024/Apr/01/parched-summer-a-wake-up-call-for-kerala

Mains Practice Question:

Discuss the challenges and implications of the worsening water deficit in South India. Suggest a comprehensive strategy to address the water crisis, focusing on both immediate and long-term measures.

Associated Articles:

https://universalinstitutions.com/will-india-witness-an-el-nino-forecast-this-year/

https://universalinstitutions.com/2023-el-nino-is-among-the-strongest-on-record-wmo/