The four Indian megacities of Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Delhi have garnered attention due to their notable presence among the world’s top 20 cities enduring severe water scarcity. This alarming analysis results from the 2018 study conducted by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) encompassing around 400 cities globally. The study brings into focus the grave water scarcity confronting these megacities, highlighting the current and projected drought situations.
Megacities: An Overview
A megacity, by definition, houses a population exceeding five, eight, or ten million people. The unique aspects of these cities, like immense concentration of population, goods, and services, render them especially vulnerable to water-related risks. Such risks, including widespread flooding, pollution of water resources, and water shortages, are further escalated by climate change. Despite these challenges, these bustling urban lands also harbor a wealth of resources. Technical, scientific, and human resources are readily available to address the looming challenges in these populous metropolitan areas.
Chennai has stood out as the global leader, facing the direst levels of water shortage and drought. Kolkata follows closely on this list at the second position, while Mumbai and Delhi hold the 11th and 15th spots respectively.
Factors Contributing to Water Scarcity in Megacities
Large cities, frequently positioned alongside sizeable rivers, are susceptible to water scarcity. Over-allocation and mismanagement of river systems contribute significantly to this predicament. Climate change-induced frequent episodes of droughts and floods coupled with dwindling water levels in reservoirs compound the water crisis in these megacities. Another critical factor is the loss of wetlands. Global reports indicate an alarming 35% reduction in wetlands since 1970, at a rate tripling that of forest loss.
| City | World Ranking in Water Scarcity |
|---|---|
| Chennai | 1 |
| Kolkata | 2 |
| Mumbai | 11 |
| Delhi | 15 |
Decreased wetland areas mean losing natural wastewater tanks for the city. Faced with a shortage of sewage treatment plants, cities resort to dumping untreated wastewater straight into rivers. The East Kolkata Wetland, a Ramsar site, serves as a representative example of this scenario.
About the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Established in September 1961 at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN)’s headquarters in Morges, Switzerland, the WWF works as an international fundraising organization. Its mission involves working in tandem with existing conservation groups to infuse significant financial aid into global conservation efforts.