- Water Stress Index, formulated by London-based risk analytics firm Verisk Maplecroft, has listed India as the 46th highest risk country in the world.
- According to the index, 11 of India’s 20 largest cities face an ‘extreme risk’ of water stress and seven are in the ‘high risk’ category. Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Nashik, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Indore are among the cities facing ‘extreme risk’.
- According to the study, Bengaluru and Surat are experiencing the greatest surge in demand for water and are most at risk of facing scarcity. Further, Chennai and Delhi are also extremely vulnerable.
- The index measured the water consumption rates of households, industries and farm sectors and the available resources in rivers, lakes and streams. It then plotted the index with projected population growth trends to rank the cities facing the biggest threat to their water resources.
- Further, India is rated ‘high risk’ in the Climate Change Vulnerability Index. It indicates that effects of climate change like an ‘extended dry season’ would deteriorate water stress situation in Indian cities. The study has noted that many Indian cities are projected to experience a higher number of consecutive drought days when precipitation is less than 1 mm
