New Delhi, A recent report indicates that about half of India could face a significant shortfall in water supply by 2030, driven by increased population, urbanization, and economic growth. This projection underscores the mounting challenges India faces as the world’s most water-stressed country.

According to Kashmir Media Service, despite the urgency of the water crisis, the BJP-led government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is criticized for not addressing these environmental concerns adequately. Critics, including those in the troubled region of Kashmir, accuse the government of focusing more on political suppression than on solving critical national issues.

As per a report in the Indian newspaper ‘Business Standard,’ India is experiencing unprecedented water stress. The World Bank has highlighted that although India houses 18% of the global population, it only has sufficient water resources to support 4% of its people. Currently, nearly half of India’s 1.4 billion population already endures high to extreme water stress, and the situation is expected to worsen as the population is projected to increase by over 200 million by 2050.

The report, titled the Interconnected Disaster Risks Report and published in October 2023, explains that groundwater, which is crucial for India’s agriculture, industry, and domestic use, is being depleted. India largely depends on the monsoon season for its water needs, but climate change is intensifying droughts and floods, exacerbating the scarcity.

Projections suggest that India’s water demand will double by 2030, exceeding the available resources, which could severely impact millions of lives and the country’s GDP. By 2050, the total water demand is expected to rise by 32%, with the industrial and domestic sectors accounting for 85% of this demand.

Experts advocate for sustainable practices such as rainwater harvesting, water conservation, and efficient irrigation techniques. However, transitioning to these methods would require significant investments in infrastructure, including dams and canals, which could further escalate the cost of urban water supply.

The report from the WWF for Nature also warns that the south and northwest regions of India are poised to face the most severe water challenges in the coming years. By 2050, 100 cities globally, including 30 in India, are predicted to face “severe water risk.”