🏙️ Bengaluru, often dubbed \"India's Silicon Valley,\" is facing a serious water crunch months before the peak summer hits. Residents are feeling the heat as they ration water, take alternate-day showers, and watch their beloved plants wither. 🌵
The culprit? Weak southwest monsoon rains have hit groundwater levels hard and decreased water levels in the Cauvery River basin reservoirs—the lifeline of this bustling tech city of 14 million people and thousands of IT companies and start-ups. 💧
With the taps running dry, residents are turning to water tankers. But here's the kicker: prices are skyrocketing! 🚰💸 Water tanker dealers are now charging up to 2,000 rupees ($24) for a 12,000-liter tanker, up from 1,200 rupees ($14) just a month ago.
\"We have to book water tankers two days in advance,\" says Santhosh C.A., a resident of Horamavu in north Bengaluru. \"My plants are dying, and I'm taking alternate-day showers.\" 😩
And it's only getting tougher. Another resident worries, \"Despite paying, the tanker vendors might not show up due to the scarcity of groundwater.\" 😟
The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), responsible for quenching the city's thirst, relies heavily on the Cauvery River. Originating in Karnataka and flowing through Tamil Nadu before meeting the Bay of Bengal, the river is the city's main source of water.
In a bid to prevent a full-blown crisis, the BWSSB has appealed to authorities for additional water from the Cauvery basin. Fingers crossed that help is on the way! 🤞
As Bengaluru navigates this challenge, it's a stark reminder of the importance of sustainable water management. Let's hope the city finds innovative solutions to keep the water flowing. 💦💡
Reference(s):
'India's Silicon Valley' Bengaluru suffers from water shortage
cgtn.com
