Recent data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has revealed alarming statistics, indicating that a staggering 540 districts across the country, including prominent regions like Palghar, Solapur, Sangli, Pune, and Mumbai, are currently grappling with water stress or dry conditions. Of particular concern, 98 of these districts are experiencing extreme to severe to moderately dry conditions as of February 28, according to the Met department’s Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI).
IMD scientist Rajib Chattopadhyay explained that the data reflects the impact of water stress and accelerated evaporation, attributed to hotter days in February, particularly in peninsular, central, and west India. The repercussions include crop stress and impending water shortages as the country heads deeper into the summer season. The affected districts span across regions such as Palghar, Solapur, Sangli, Pune, Rajkot, Junagadh, Dwarka, Mysore, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Belgaum, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Trivandrum, Madurai, Vellore, and more.
While an additional 442 districts are also exhibiting dry conditions, including Mumbai, they are not as severe as the aforementioned 98. Chattopadhyay expressed concern over the early onset of dry conditions, indicating heightened evaporation rates in the upcoming months due to above-normal temperatures projected for parts of central and peninsular India.
Even coastal districts like Palghar are witnessing moderately dry conditions due to elevated day temperatures, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Parts of peninsular India, areas south of Bengaluru in Karnataka, western districts of Kerala, and sections of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu are facing water stress due to abnormally high day temperatures.
Chattopadhyay warned that the high evaporation rate, driven by temperature and ultraviolet radiation, could have health implications. The IMD’s latest SPEI map reveals yellow for mildly dry conditions and maroon, red, and orange for extremely, severely, and moderately dry conditions, respectively.
As summer-like temperatures arrive early in south peninsular India and Maharashtra, the IMD scientist emphasized that the dryness is likely to persist without sufficient pre-monsoon rainfall. Water stress not only impacts agriculture but also influences dam and canal water levels, potentially affecting drinking water availability and human health.
