 "Double trouble for Bengaluru: How soaring temperatures amid water woes are adding to the misery")
Bengaluru has been dealing with a water crisis for a month. In addition to its water woes , India’s Silicon Valley is experiencing record-breaking high temperatures.
Residents have even been forced to alter their everyday schedules due to the intense heat.
Let’s take a closer look.
Severe hot weather
Bengaluru on Sunday recorded 37.6 degrees Celsius, the highest that the mercury has gone in the last eight years in the city, which is otherwise known for its pleasant weather, according to PTI.
NDTV reports that the city is currently experiencing at least three degrees warmer temperatures than it does in April.
In view of the hot weather in Bengaluru, sunstroke wards have been opened in most hospitals, including the KC General Ward.
In addition, the city is experiencing warmer nights, which contrasts with the delightful evenings that most people are accustomed to.
With the city clocking 23 degrees Celsius yesterday — higher than Delhi and Gurugram — minimum temperatures are reaching all-time highs.
According to Dr N Puviarasan, a weather scientist at the India Meteorological Department, Bengaluru’s inadequate rainfall from the northeast monsoon last year is one of the causes of the rising temperature.
“There was no rain in Bengaluru in the winter either, mainly due to climate change and El Nino conditions,” he told NDTV. An El Nino effect is linked to weaker monsoon winds and less rainfall.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAdditionally, he emphasised the connection between the city’s high temperatures and the rapid urbanisation that was taking place.
Changed schedules
Now, a lot of locals have rearranged their schedules to avoid the heat.
“It has changed my entire routine. I used to go for walks after lunch. Now it’s so horrible, I cannot even step out of office. Sitting in the AC is the only option,” a resident told the news channel. “When I moved here 10 years ago, it was a completely different story. We never faced this kind of weather.”
Another resident said, “We are also experiencing a huge water problem in Bengaluru,” while adding that she is constantly hydrating herself to stay fit amid the heat.
In an attempt to alleviate some of the intense heat, the IT hub is now anticipating summer showers, which are predicted for 14 April.
Water crisis
Bengaluru’s water issue has made the summer heat an added hardship.
Only those that receive piped water from rivers outside Bengaluru are still getting regular supply, as per Mint.
The government of Karnataka reports that out of the 13,900 borewells that were sunk in the city, 6,900 have dried up, even though some of them were drilled as deep as 1,500 feet. Muthuvel and other groundwater-dependent areas are now dependent on water tankers that get water from neighbouring villages.
By the end of the decade, more than 40 per cent of Bengaluru residents, according to Centre estimates from 2018, won’t have access to drinking water.
Amid this, consumers are reportedly stung by high vegetable costs as supplies have taken a hit. People seeking to buy a property in Bengaluru are reassessing their decision as several parts of Karnataka’s capital reel under a water crisis.
Residents have been forced to cut down on showers and cooking because of water scarcity,” an NDTV ground report revealed last month.
A recent report by Nasscom-Deloitte has found that due to these civic issues, IT companies are now open to expanding their operations beyond Karnataka’s capital.
The water crisis in Karnataka’s capital is only expected to get worse as mercury climbs up in summer. Bengaluru’s water woes are also likely to affect its real estate market, with potential buyers reconsidering their investments.
The Karnataka government has taken over private water tankers, borewells and irrigation wells amid the water scarcity in Bengaluru. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has mandated the use of aerators in taps for large users. The BWSSB also recently announced a 10 per cent cut in supply to those who use water between 40 lakh and two crore litres per day.
Sitharaman hits out at the state government
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday hit out at the Siddaramaiah government and alleged that many irrigation and water-related projects and initiatives were halted by the Congress when it came to power in Karnataka last year.
Addressing a press conference here, the Union Minister said it is very worrying and sad that the city suffers from water-related problems.
Responding to a question about the delay in drought relief funds, she explained that the Karnataka government had submitted a memorandum in October and the inter-ministerial central team had come here and conducted a spot assessment.
Seeking to defend the Centre, Ms Sitharaman said the release of drought relief has to go through a few procedures and that it had taken time.
She said that on March 28, the Central authorities had written to the Election Commission to get prior approval in the context of the Model Code of Conduct for convening the high-level committee.
The EC’s approval is awaited with regard to the grant of drought relief, she added.
With inputs from PTI
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