Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Climate change, characterized by rising global temperatures and altered weather patterns, poses a significant threat to India’s water security. India, with its large population and agrarian economy, is highly vulnerable to these changes. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports consistently highlight the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, directly impacting the availability, accessibility, and quality of water resources. The monsoon’s erratic behavior, coupled with increasing temperatures, is already causing widespread water stress across the country, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of these impacts.
Impact on Surface Water Resources
Changes in precipitation patterns are the most direct impact of climate change on surface water. Increased intensity of rainfall events leads to increased runoff and flooding, while prolonged dry spells result in droughts.
- Erratic Monsoon: The Indian monsoon, the lifeline of the country, is becoming increasingly unpredictable. Studies show a decline in overall monsoon rainfall, alongside an increase in the frequency of heavy rainfall days (IMD data, knowledge cutoff 2023).
- River Flows: Major rivers like the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus are experiencing altered flow regimes. Glacial melt contributes to initial increases in flow, followed by long-term declines as glaciers shrink.
- Reservoir Sedimentation: Increased runoff and erosion due to intense rainfall events lead to higher sedimentation rates in reservoirs, reducing their storage capacity.
Impact on Groundwater Resources
Climate change indirectly affects groundwater resources through changes in recharge rates.
- Reduced Recharge: Decreased rainfall and increased evaporation rates reduce groundwater recharge, leading to declining water tables, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions.
- Increased Demand: Higher temperatures increase water demand for irrigation and domestic use, further exacerbating groundwater depletion.
- Saline Intrusion: Sea-level rise and over-extraction of groundwater in coastal areas lead to saline intrusion, contaminating freshwater aquifers.
Impact on Glacial and Snowmelt
The Himalayan glaciers, a crucial source of water for major Indian rivers, are particularly vulnerable to climate change.
- Glacial Retreat: Glaciers are retreating at an alarming rate due to rising temperatures. A study by the Space Applications Centre (SAC) Ahmedabad indicates a decline in glacier area by approximately 12% between 2000 and 2020.
- Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs): The formation of glacial lakes and their potential outburst pose a significant threat to downstream communities.
- Altered River Flows: Initial increases in river flows due to glacial melt are followed by long-term declines as glaciers shrink, impacting water availability during the dry season.
Regional Variations
The impact of climate change on water resources varies significantly across different regions of India.
| Region | Impact |
|---|---|
| Indo-Gangetic Plain | Increased flooding, groundwater depletion, altered river flows. |
| Western Himalayas | Accelerated glacial melt, GLOFs, altered river flows. |
| Coastal Areas | Saline intrusion, increased flooding, sea-level rise. |
| Arid and Semi-Arid Regions | Increased drought frequency, groundwater depletion, water scarcity. |
Consequences
The impacts on water resources have far-reaching consequences for various sectors.
- Agriculture: Reduced water availability impacts crop yields and food security.
- Energy: Hydropower generation is affected by altered river flows.
- Health: Water scarcity and contamination lead to increased waterborne diseases.
- Livelihoods: Water stress impacts the livelihoods of millions of people dependent on agriculture and fisheries.
Conclusion
Climate change is undeniably exacerbating water stress in India, with cascading effects across multiple sectors. Addressing this challenge requires a multi-pronged approach, including strengthening water management practices, promoting water conservation, investing in water infrastructure, and implementing climate-resilient agricultural practices. Furthermore, international cooperation is crucial for addressing transboundary water issues and mitigating the global impacts of climate change. A proactive and integrated approach is essential to ensure water security for India’s future.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.