India confronts one of the world most severe water crises, supporting 18% of global population with only 4% of world freshwater resources.
Monsoon Disruption
The Indian monsoon shows increasing variability under climate change. Recent years have seen both devastating floods and prolonged droughts, often in the same year.
Groundwater Crisis
India extracts more groundwater than any other country—over 250 billion cubic meters annually. An estimated 600 million Indians face high water stress.
Himalayan Glacier Retreat
Himalayan glaciers are retreating at accelerating rates, losing an average of 0.5 meters of thickness annually.
Urban Water Stress
Chennai made headlines in 2019 when its reservoirs ran dry. Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Delhi all face severe water shortages.
Solutions and Adaptation
India has launched water conservation programs. Experts estimate $200+ billion in water infrastructure investment is needed by 2030.