How Did Bangalore Celebrate Holi Amidst the Water Crisis?

The Hindu festival of vibrant colors, Holi coincided with the Water crisis row in Bangalore. While much of India celebrates the festival with joy, residents of Bangalore grapple with severe water shortages, facing heavy fines for violating water usage rules.
And so, the stringent rules had a noticeable effect on how people in Bangalore celebrated Holi, leading them to opt for a dry celebration. The administration had issued strict instructions to Holi party organizers, warning them against using excessive water during cultural events.

“Organising entertainment like rain dances and pool parties for commercial purposes is not advisable at this time. Using Cauvery water and borewell water is prohibited in the public interest,” an order by Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) said.

Forced into a corner and limited in options, Bangalore residents had to come up with creative ways to enjoy a waterless Holi on Monday. This crackdown on Holi festivities followed the Bangalore civic authority already levying fines totaling 1.1 lakh rupees from residents for non-essential use of Cauvery water.

What is Bangalore’s water crisis?

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has identified the critical population in Bengalore and highlighted the decrease in groundwater levels due to recent lack of rain. The board has warned about the rising temperatures and stressed the importance of conserving drinking water.

The order stated, “Approximately 14 million people, including permanent residents and transient individuals, have been identified in Bangalore. Ensuring drinking water supply for all is crucial. With temperatures increasing daily and groundwater levels diminishing due to recent dry spells, it is imperative to prevent water wastage in the city, and the public is urged to use drinking water sparingly.”

Addressing the city’s dire situation, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah noted that out of the 14,000 borewells in Bengaluru, 6,900 have dried up, leading to a daily water shortage of at least 500 million liters.