Bengaluru is bracing for another water crisis this summer, with groundwater levels in areas like Mahadevapura and Whitefield expected to fall drastically. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has issued a warning to residents, advising against heavy reliance on groundwater and encouraging the use of alternative water sources.
According to a recent scientific study conducted by BWSSB, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), the city’s water scarcity risks are growing, particularly in 80 wards and 110 villages that are highly dependent on groundwater. These areas are at significant risk of facing severe water shortages, making it critical to find sustainable water solutions.
BWSSB chairman, Ram Prasanth Manohar, urged residents, especially in high-risk wards, to shift from groundwater usage to Cauvery water connections, citing the Cauvery Phase 5 Project as a more sustainable water supply option for Bengaluru’s expanding population. The study, hailed as a pioneering effort in India, is part of a broader initiative to address the city’s water challenges in the summer months.
The findings of the study show a concerning drop in groundwater levels. In central Bengaluru, levels are expected to decrease by 5 meters, while areas under the city’s municipal corporations could see declines of 10 to 15 meters. Some villages in Bengaluru’s jurisdiction may experience drops as steep as 20 to 25 meters. This highlights the urgency for alternative water sources and sustainable management practices to combat the looming crisis.
The initiative, led by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, included the formation of a special task force comprising IISc scientists and officials from both state and central groundwater development departments. Their efforts, spanning six months, culminated in an action plan to mitigate future water shortages.
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