Extreme weather, depleting aquifers, and rising demand show that supply-side responses are no longer enough for India’s fragile water systems
The NITI Aayog study and Varuni app reveal stark deficits across blocks, underscoring how uneven storage, recharge, and use shape local water stress
Assessing rainfall, recharge, storage, and demand enables targeted action, aligning India’s approach with global models that rely on data for resilience
Agriculture remains the core driver of stress. Without crop diversification, micro-irrigation, and conjunctive use, budgeting cannot meaningfully shift outcomes
Erratic monsoons demand annually updated water budgets and stronger local capacity, along with a cultural shift toward treating water as a finite asset
Community-led efforts in Kerala and Atal Bhujal show that participation enhances compliance and sustainability, strengthening local water stewardship
Scaling Varuni and improving climate and industrial data can help India move from fragmented projects to transparent, anticipatory water governance