Water Crisis Looms as Rivers Dry Up and Groundwater Levels Plummet in Bihar

Bihar, one of India's most populous states, is facing a dire water crisis as the region grapples with a drastic shortage in rainfall. Over the past three months, the state has received an average of only 78 mm of rain, leading to the drying up of rivers at 51 locations and a sharp decline in groundwater levels. This alarming situation has affected several districts, necessitating immediate action to ensure the availability of drinking water for the population.

Rivers Drying Up and Reservoirs Depleted

The dearth of rainfall has resulted in rivers running dry at 51 places across Bihar. Additionally, water levels in 14 reservoirs have fallen below the dead level, exacerbating the crisis. Furthermore, the groundwater table has dropped up to 40 feet in 17 districts, including Bhojpur, Nalanda, Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Vaishali, Sheikhpura, and Samastipur. The Central Ground Water Board has categorized 25 panchayats in these districts as critical, with groundwater levels declining by 40 to 50 feet due to excessive exploitation.

Impact on Drinking Water Supply

The dire consequences of water scarcity are evident in various areas. Failures in boring have been reported in 16 wards of Nawada and three wards of Gaya. Moreover, the drinking water supply has been severely affected in 10 wards of Jamui, two in Gaya, two in Arwal, five in Nawada, one in Jehanabad, three in Arrah, and one in Aurangabad. 

To mitigate the crisis, water is currently being supplied through 170 to 220 tankers across the affected regions.

Root Cause of the Crisis

According to the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), the demand for water in Bihar stands at 1.30 crore litres per day for three lakh people. However, the excessive exploitation of water resources, with 8.12 crore litres being extracted daily, is the primary cause of the drinking water problem. 

This imbalance in water demand and supply has led to the current crisis, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable water management practices.

Banning Private Boring in Critical Areas

To address the rapidly depleting groundwater levels, authorities have decided to ban private boring activities in critical zones. In such areas, administrative permission will be mandatory for any necessary boring. The PHED is currently drafting regulations and guidelines to enforce this restriction, aiming to curb the unregulated extraction of groundwater.

Center's Instructions and Efforts

In response to the worsening drinking water situation in Bihar, the Ministry of Jal Shakti has directed officials to identify water sources and remove encroachments to ensure their availability. The ministry has stressed the importance of developing groundwater recharge processes and implementing continuous monitoring of water sources. These measures aim to mitigate the impact of the current crisis and provide a long-term solution for Bihar's water scarcity issues.

As Bihar faces an acute water crisis due to a significant rainfall deficit, the drying up of rivers and depletion of groundwater levels have become alarming concerns. The state government, in coordination with central authorities, is taking steps to address the crisis. However, with the rainy season approaching, immediate action must be taken to recharge water sources and secure sufficient drinking water supplies for the people of Bihar. A comprehensive and sustainable approach to water management is crucial to avoid a similar water problem in the future.