Why Chennai Water Crisis is a Man-Made Disaster and what needs to be done to save Indian cities from rapidly depleting water sources?

What is Chennai going through?

Source : The Financial Express

This is the second time in the last four years that Chennai has made news about its extreme rainfall patterns. While four years back, the city was devastated by heavy rain and destructive floods; this time around, the havoc has been created by meagre rain and widespread drought forcing people to rely on water tankers as the taps have run dry. The drastic shift in rainfall patterns can be attributed partly to Climate Change, but is largely a repercussion of  our indifference towards water conservation aggravated by high temperatures and a Heat Wave. Chennai's water sources are at a 70 year low, holding just 1% of the water they had at the same time last year. The extent of the drought can be realised by the fact that businesses are asking their employees to work from home, restaurants have shut down, people have to rely on municipal water tankers and public restrooms have become defunct.

Chennai's Puzhal Lake Satellite Image, Souce: Deccan Chronicle

Though the city is located on a floodplain and theoretically should have enough water to sustain its population, but rapid urbanisation, road building and concrete surfaces does not let the rain water percolate into the ground, failing to replenish the aquifers under the city. This highlights the blurred lines between development and sustainable development. The government's indifference towards sustainability adds to it.

What lies ahead?

Source: Prop Tiger

According to NITI Ayog, 21 Indian cities will run out of groundwater by next year including IT hub Bangalore, and National Capital Delhi. Climate scientists, throughout the 21st century have warned about acute water crises and water being the primary subject that would shape policy making in the future. Prudent water management must be a concern for future governments because the 'Elixir of Life' is disappearing.


The Green Revolution which is often regarded as one of the most remarkable efforts to boost agriculture in North-Western India has also proved to be an unsustainable model. It accelerated groundwater depletion as farmers recklessly used tubewells to draw water. North-Western states must focus on less water intensive crops and North-Eastern states which receive higher rainfall must grow more water intensive crops. Long-term planning and water harvesting must be prioritised. With summers growing hotter and temperatures rising, the stress on groundwater and reservoirs is set to grow, exposing Indian cities to water shortages and droughts. Climate Change affects rainfall patterns but irrational water management is what is making Indian cities more prone to drought and water depletion. We still have time, Governments need to wake up, citizens need to act, institutions need to play their role to prevent our taps from running dry.

What do you think who is responsible for Chennai's plight? Us or just Climate Change?