Bengaluru, renowned for its opulent headquarters of numerous global software giants in southern India, finds itself in the throes of a dire water shortage. Residents lament facing the most severe water crisis in decades, exacerbated by an unusually scorching February and March.

Concerns escalate as experts anticipate a worsening situation in April and May, coinciding with the peak of summer when temperatures soar in the city of 13 million inhabitants. Bengaluru's scanty rainfall over recent years, partly attributed to human-induced climate change, has led to alarmingly depleted water levels, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas, resulting in exorbitant water prices and a dwindling supply.

In response, municipal and state authorities have implemented urgent measures, including the nationalization of water tankers and capping water prices. However, the situation remains grim, with a significant number of borewells—6,900 out of 13,900—having run dry despite drilling depths reaching 457 meters (1,500 feet).

Shashank Palur, a hydrologist based in Bengaluru, attributes the crisis to factors like the El Niño phenomenon and insufficient rainfall, hindering groundwater recharge. Additionally, delayed completion of a new piped water supply from the Cauvery River exacerbates the predicament.

The city's extensive urbanization, covering nearly 90 percent of surfaces with pavement, obstructs rainwater absorption, exacerbating the crisis. TV Ramachandra, a research scientist, underscores the imperative of preserving green spaces and rejuvenating the city's numerous lakes to mitigate the crisis.

Meanwhile, pragmatic measures such as water rationing are being adopted by residents like S Prasad, who underscores the community's willingness to pay premium prices for water. However, access to water suppliers remains a pressing challenge, underscoring the urgency for sustainable solutions to safeguard Bengaluru's water future.