Archive · 13 Dec 2025
Indian Cities Face Severe Water Scarcity Risks
Indian cities are at risk of running out of water in the next few decades.
This is because the planet is getting hotter, which affects how water behaves.
Some places are experiencing very dry conditions, like Tehran, where the president warned that people might have to leave the city if it doesn't rain.
In India, cities like Chennai and Bengaluru have already faced similar problems.
At the same time, other places are getting too much rain, causing floods.
These changes are linked to global warming, which makes the air hotter and holds more moisture, leading to stronger storms.
A recent study shows that India's temperature has already increased, and it could get much hotter in the future.
This could make it very hard for people to get enough water.
Indian cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, and Delhi are at high risk of severe water scarcity due to climate change.
A study in Nature Communications warns that many regions, including India, may face Day Zero Drought by the 2020s and 2030s.
India's average air temperature increased by 0.89°C between 2015 and 2024, with projections of further increases by 2094.
Floods in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia displaced nearly 300,000 people, with Cyclone Ditwah causing flooding in southern Andhra Pradesh and northern Tamil Nadu.
The number of warm days in India has increased by 5-15 days per decade between 1951 and 2024.
- Who
- Urban populations in India, especially in cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, and Delhi.
- What
- Severe water scarcity and increased risk of Day Zero Drought due to climate change.
- When
- The risk is projected to increase significantly by the 2020s and 2030s.
- Where
- Major cities and regions in India, particularly those with intensive irrigation practices.
- Why
- Due to a combination of climate change, multi-year droughts, and poor water management.
- Population at Risk
- Urban populations, especially in India, are highly vulnerable to water scarcity.
- Temperature Increase
- India's average air temperature increased by 0.89°C between 2015 and 2024.
- Future Temperature Projections
- India could heat up by 1.1°C to 4.1°C by 2094, depending on GHG emissions.
- Day Zero Drought
- Many regions, including major reservoirs, may face high risk of Day Zero Drought by the 2020s and 2030s.
- Flood Displacement
- Nearly 300,000 people displaced due to floods in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia.
- Cyclone Impact
- Cyclone Ditwah caused heavy rains and flooding in southern Andhra Pradesh and northern Tamil Nadu.
- Heatwaves
- Number of warm days in India increased by 5-15 days per decade between 1951 and 2024.