[Answered] Assess the preparedness of India in dealing with the predicted hotter summers and longer heat waves in terms of water stress management.

India’s preparedness for dealing with predicted hotter summers and longer heat waves in terms of water stress management is multifaceted, involving policy, governance, and financial considerations.

Water Use Efficiency

• Targets for Water Efficiency: Initiatives like the National Water Mission and AMRUT 2.0 set targets for increasing water use efficiency and reducing non-revenue water. However, these targets lack baseline data and water accounting principles, making it challenging to quantify progress effectively.
• Efficient Water Reuse: There’s a need to focus on efficient reuse of water resources, including urban wastewater, to alleviate water stress. However, this requires robust data on water usage and clear incentives for investments in treated wastewater reuse.

Current Initiatives

• Water Conservation Programs: Government campaigns promote rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, and efficient water use in agriculture and industries.
• Water Infrastructure Development: Projects aim to improve water storage capacity through dams and reservoirs, and enhance water distribution networks.
• Groundwater Regulation: The government is attempting to regulate groundwater extraction to prevent overexploitation.

Areas for Improvement

• Strengthening Water Management Institutions: Local Water User Associations need more power and resources to manage water efficiently and equitably.
• Public Awareness and Behaviour Change: Encouraging water conservation practices at the household and community level is crucial.
• Improving Water Pricing: Subsidies often distort water usage patterns. Implementing fair water pricing structures can incentivize conservation.
• Climate-resilient Agriculture: Promoting drought-resistant crops and adopting water-saving agricultural practices can significantly reduce water demand.

Conclusion

India faces significant challenges in managing water stress exacerbated by hotter summers and longer heat waves. While there’s recognition of the importance of integrated water management, existing policies often lack coherence and fail to address the complex interdependencies between water, food, and energy systems. Efforts to improve water use efficiency and promote efficient water reuse are hindered by a lack of baseline data and financial investments. However, initiatives like the Green Credit Programme offer promising avenues for mobilizing funds for climate adaptation in the water sector. Overall, enhancing preparedness requires greater coherence in policy, better data-driven decision-making, and increased financial support for adaptation efforts.