Adapting to Extremes: Water Resilience for Indian Cities

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This article is a part of the essay series: World Water Week 2025

Over the last few years, notable changes in climatic conditions have been observed. Some regions are experiencing higher temperatures, prolonged heatwaves, and drought-like conditions, while others are receiving severe cyclonic storms and excess rainfall. These changes are impacting life forms, natural habitats, and resources in various ways.

Human activities that are being conducted with minimal regard for the environment are adversely impacting it. For example, the high consumption of fossil fuels in the transport, power, and industrial sectors emits large quantities of greenhouse gases, warming the atmosphere and affecting the ecosystem.

The changes in temperature and rainfall patterns have led to the emergence of water management-related issues. For example, the demand for water increases during the summer season, and more water is used to minimise the harmful effects of air pollution. Conversely, the excess precipitation calls for better management.

The changes in temperature and rainfall patterns have led to the emergence of water management-related issues.

In India, several issues emerge in this context. Despite the availability of abundant fresh water, a substantial segment of the population does not have access to an adequate quantity of water. Generally, in cities, treated water is typically supplied through pipelines for only about one or two hours, or less, per day. The situation is far more critical in informal areas inhabited by poor communities, where access to treated water remains sporadic and families struggle to collect water for their daily needs. Thus, in Indian cities, while treated water is being supplied, a large population spends considerable time and energy collecting water.

Secondly, deficiencies are noted in the management of rainwater. Large parts of the country receive rain during the monsoon seasonhowever, the drainage systems in cities are unable to efficiently drain out the rainwater. This leads to flooding and waterlogging in public places, roads, residential and work areas, schools and hospitals. During such periods, people’s mobility is severely affected, and access to essential civic services is disrupted. These events often lead to numerous incidents of injuries, loss of lives, and property damage.

The mountainous regions of India, which experience frequent cloudbursts, torrential rains, and landslides, witness large-scale destruction and loss of life. A recent example in this regard is of Uttarakhand state, where the settlements of Dharali and Harsil were devastated on 5 August 2025. Several people lost their lives, over a 100 are reported missing, and many buildings were destroyed by the water and debris.

Conventional approaches to water management are insufficient to prevent the disasters triggered by extreme weather events. To address this, some measures need to be introduced:

1. Drainage: The condition of existing drainage systems needs to be improved for managing surface runoff and preventing flooding. This requires: provision of drainage facilities in all parts of the city, including areas occupied by poor communities; ensuring that the size of drains is sufficient to accommodate high volumes of water; regular cleaning of drains; and emptying of drains at suitable places, such as surface water bodies, recharge basins, and treatment plants. It must also be ensured that the roads and streets are sloped towards the drain openings along the travel corridors, which would allow quick transfer of water. Currently, such conditions are not being met properly.
2. Water Sponges: A normal sponge can absorb a lot of liquid. The same principle can be applied to human settlements for managing excess water. In this case, sponges would be in the form of green spaces (forests, gardens, parks, and wetlands), permeable buildings, infrastructure, and pavements, green rooftops, and rainwater storage facilities. These natural and artificial sponges can soak up rainfall and slow down surface runoff. Thus, future planning activities must incorporate the idea of creating water sponges, paved surfaces must be replaced with porous materials, and neglected water bodies must be restored. Such measures will enhance rainwater retention capacity, facilitate groundwater recharge, and build resilience against floods.
3. Underground Water Basins: Several large-sized interconnected underground water storage basins can be built near residential, commercial, and institutional areas for the collection of rainwater received on rooftops, roads, and elsewhere on the ground. The water can be transferred to the basins by pipes. The arrangement should be such that when one basin is full, the excess water flows to the adjoining basin, and so on. The water stored in the underground basins can be treated and supplied to the consumers during the summer season or when the need arises.

In addition to the previously discussed issue, several other critical issues must be addressed. First, when a river receives excess rainwater and debris, it often overflows or changes its course, inundating neighbouring areas. It should be ensured that buildings are not constructed in such areas and the byelaws are not violated. Communities in such areas should be relocated to nearby, safer locations permanently. Another area requiring attention is improvement in weather forecasting using satellite imagery, radars, and artificial intelligence. Timely dissemination of upcoming weather information to communities can help save lives and minimise the damage. Also, during the occurrence of extreme weather events, communities and the local administration are unable to take proper decisions and steps for their protection. Thus, they should be equipped with survival kits and trained in the use of techniques, such as swimming and protection from electrocution.

The prevailing conditions not only call for better management of water but also for conducting human activities in a responsible and environmentally friendly manner.

To conclude, water-related problems have been aggravated by the climate change phenomenon. The long-duration heat waves in some places have escalated the water demand. Other places are grappling with frequent and intense flooding and waterlogging. Both situations are adversely impacting human settlements and people’s activities. The poor communities living in vulnerable areas suffer the most. The prevailing conditions not only call for better management of water but also for conducting human activities in a responsible and environmentally friendly manner.

The emerging challenges of water can be addressed by implementing sustainable projects and strengthening governance practices. Upgrading the drainage system can ensure swift transfer of stormwater, natural and artificial sponges can slow down surface runoff, and underground water basins can store excess rainwater. Along with these measures, the administration must ensure planned development of habitations, provide timely weather alerts to communities, and build community resilience to disasters. Implementation of these measures can help in minimising the damage and loss during extreme weather events.

Rumi Aijaz is a Senior Fellow with the Urban Policy Research Initiative at the Observer Research Foundation.

• Water
• India
• climate change and water resources management
• climate driven extreme events
• sustainable water management
• water management in india
• water resources management in india
• water sustainability

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