Thiruvanathapuram: Celebrated across the world for its green landscapes, serene backwaters, and strong social indicators that rival those of many developed nations, the southern Indian state of Kerala is often described as a development miracle. Yet behind this image of abundance lies a troubling reality. In one of India’s rainiest regions, millions of people are struggling to access clean drinking water.
A geographic paradox
Kerala is home to 44 rivers and receives an average annual rainfall of nearly 3,000 millimetres, almost three times the national average. Despite this natural advantage, the state is facing a widening gap between economic progress and basic water security. Recent figures reveal the depth of this crisis.
In Alappuzha, a globally known tourism destination, nearly 45 percent of residents lack access to safe drinking water, largely due to saltwater intrusion caused by the advancing sea. In Kottayam, around 30 percent of the population experiences persistent water shortages.
In the interior regions, while cities such as Ernakulam and Kannur manage relatively better, districts like Palakkad, Thrissur, and Wayanad increasingly face severe water scarcity during the months before the monsoon.
A leaking development model
Kerala’s development model is often praised for its achievements in education and healthcare. However, environmental experts argue that rapid urban growth has not been matched by careful ecological planning.
“The contradiction is striking,” says a local environmental researcher. “We have pipelines in place, but not enough water flowing through them. We receive heavy rainfall, but lack adequate systems to store it.” Multiple factors have contributed to the unfolding crisis. In coastal areas, rising sea levels combined with the destruction of mangroves have allowed saline water to contaminate freshwater wells.
Kerala’s terrain, which slopes sharply from the Western Ghats to the Arabian Sea, causes rainwater to drain into the ocean within two days unless it is retained by forests or artificial storage structures. Climate variability has intensified extreme rainfall events, where large volumes of rain fall over a short period, leading to floods without effectively replenishing groundwater reserves.
When taps run dry
Perhaps the most worrying aspect is the declining public conversation around water scarcity. Once a central political issue, it has been overshadowed by debates on large infrastructure projects. While initiatives such as the Jal Jeevan Mission have expanded household tap connections, the reliability and quality of water supply remain uncertain in many rural and coastal areas.
For women in Alappuzha who still walk long distances or wait for government water tankers, Kerala’s reputation for global development standards feels far removed from daily reality.
The way ahead
To protect its standing as a leader in human development, Kerala must adopt a comprehensive approach to water management. Experts highlight the need for integrated water resource planning that balances ecology, technology, and community participation.
Proposed measures include decentralised desalination units powered by renewable energy for coastal communities, effective implementation of rainwater harvesting at the household level, and large scale restoration of wetlands that act as natural buffers against water runoff.
As policymakers and scholars across the Global South continue to look to Kerala as a model, the state’s success will ultimately be measured by its ability to ensure something fundamental: safe and reliable drinking water for every citizen.