Sun Jan 26 06:56:38 UTC 2025: ## Bengaluru Faces Looming Water Crisis: Groundwater Depletion Threatens 80 Wards

**Bengaluru, India** – A joint study by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) reveals a severe groundwater crisis looming over Bengaluru this summer. The study identifies 80 wards, encompassing 110 villages, heavily reliant on groundwater, as being at high risk of water shortages.

BWSSB Chairman Ram Prasath Manohar stated that the research highlights a dramatic decline in groundwater levels, predicting a drop of up to 5 meters in central Bengaluru and as much as 25 meters in some outlying areas. He urged residents in affected areas to reduce their reliance on groundwater and switch to Cauvery water connections, citing the recently completed Cauvery Phase 5 Project as a sustainable alternative to address the city’s growing water needs.

The initiative to address this crisis was spearheaded by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who established a special task force comprising IISc experts and government officials to develop a comprehensive water management plan. The task force’s research underscores the urgent need for action to prevent a widespread water shortage. The BWSSB is actively encouraging the adoption of Cauvery water connections to alleviate the pressure on dwindling groundwater reserves.

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