Southern Indian states confront severe water shortages as monsoon fails

Across southern India, the southwest monsoon delivered roughly 13% less rain than expected, triggering water stress that threatens drinking supplies, agriculture and power generation. Reservoirs in Telangana and Karnataka hold far below their design capacities, and drought has been officially declared in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana and Rajasthan. Crop losses are estimated at around 33% in Karnataka, with a total agricultural damage claim of ₹60,000 crore, while Tamil Nadu’s Cauvery delta reports its lowest water inflow in 14 years, pushing rice prices up by as much as 50%.

Political tension is rising as state leaders negotiate inter-state water transfers, including the Telugu Ganga scheme for Chennai and the proposed Godavari-Cauvery link, which faces opposition from Telangana. Experts warn that repeated drought-flood cycles and a weak rabi harvest could keep food inflation high into 2027.