Bengaluru, the capital of Congress-ruled Karnataka, is grappling with a worsening water crisis, exacerbated by dry borewells due to unfavorable monsoon conditions. The severity of the situation is evident as schools are closing, forcing some to resort to online classes, and residents face increasing challenges in securing drinking water. The city’s water board is unable to meet the daily requirement of 2,600-2,800 MLD, supplying only about 1,300 MLD, less than half of the needed amount.
The scarcity has led to a surge in private tanker demand, driving prices up significantly. With concerns growing about the impending dry season, residents are conserving water diligently. Even in densely populated areas, where multiple tanks are necessary, only one or two are being supplied, causing prolonged water shortages for the past three months.
Locals attribute the crisis to inadequate government focus on groundwater, criticizing successive administrations for prioritizing infrastructure projects over the welfare of the people. They believe that proper attention to groundwater could have averted the current situation.
In response to the dire circumstances, the government has advised residents to use water judiciously, strictly prohibiting its use for non-essential activities like washing vehicles, construction, and entertainment in cinemas and malls. The Bengaluru Water Board has issued warnings of fines starting at Rs. 5,000 for initial violations and increasing fines of Rs. 500 for repeated offenses.
The prevailing sentiment among residents is that a return to normalcy hinges on rainfall and a more concerted effort by authorities to address the city’s water-related challenges.