Severe Drought Hits Krishna River

On April 26, 2025, northern Karnataka faced a severe drought hits the Krishna River and dried prematurely, raising urgent concerns over agriculture, drinking water supply, and inter-state cooperation for water management.

1. Why is the Krishna River drying up earlier than usual in 2025?
As of April 26, 2025, reports confirmed that the Krishna River began drying earlier than usual, particularly affecting northern Karnataka. Climate shifts, reduced rainfall, and escalating temperatures have accelerated drought conditions. Notably, the river’s early depletion impacts 75.86% of the basin’s agricultural land. This alarming trend reflects broader patterns of water stress in southern India and highlights the urgent need for long-term climate-resilient water management strategies.

2. How important is the Krishna River for agriculture and drinking water?
The Krishna River, spanning about 1,400 kilometres, is critical for agriculture and water supply across western and southern India. In northern Karnataka, it supports around 76% of cultivated land, making it indispensable. During droughts, such as the current 2025 crisis, the scarcity severely disrupts food security and daily water availability. Analysts predict a potential 30% drop in regional crop yield if emergency measures are not implemented promptly.

3. What role does Kalyan Karnataka play in the current drought crisis?
Kalyan Karnataka is among the worst-hit areas as the Krishna River dries prematurely. Agriculture-dependent communities have seen massive crop failures, with local surveys indicating that over 45% of farms reported total losses by April 2025. Though government drinking water support remains operational, farmers face economic devastation. Experts urge immediate intervention to prevent a full-blown humanitarian and agricultural crisis in this historically underdeveloped region.

4. How has the Karnataka government responded to the Krishna River drought?
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah formally appealed to Maharashtra for emergency water releases: 2 tmcft from Koyana and 1 tmcft from Varana reservoirs. Despite the appeal made by late April 2025, Maharashtra has not officially responded. Critics argue that while political communication continues, ground-level mitigation efforts, like crop insurance disbursal and tanker water supplies, must be urgently accelerated to avoid irreversible agricultural damage.

5. What does the historical water-sharing agreement between Karnataka and Maharashtra involve?
Since 2004, Karnataka and Maharashtra have had an agreement for reciprocal water releases to mitigate droughts. Maharashtra is supposed to release Krishna water during scarcity, compensated later by Karnataka. However, audits in 2022 highlighted poor implementation and escalating logistical costs, often leading to delayed aid. The 2025 drought again stresses the need to revise and streamline these agreements to ensure timely and effective water sharing.

6. What ecological challenges threaten the Krishna River’s long-term health?
The Krishna River suffers from seasonal soil erosion, particularly during intense monsoon periods, weakening its ecosystem. Droughts disrupt aquatic habitats, reducing biodiversity, and deteriorating water quality. Recent environmental assessments suggest that unchecked exploitation and erratic rainfall could shrink the river’s effective basin by nearly 20% over the next decade, jeopardizing millions dependent on its ecological balance for livelihood and agriculture.

7. How is climate change reshaping the future of the Krishna River?
Climate models predict that average temperatures in the Krishna basin will rise by up to 2.5°C by 2050, worsening drought frequency and intensity. April 2025’s early river drying is a stark preview of future conditions if adaptive measures aren’t enacted. Experts emphasize collaborative river basin management, sustainable farming practices, and investment in drought-resilient infrastructure to safeguard the Krishna River for future generations.

8. What makes this story a must-read?
The Krishna River drought reveals the fragile link between climate change, agriculture, and governance, offering urgent lessons for water resource management and highlighting the critical need for sustainable, cooperative environmental policies.