Floods and water scarcities

Vast climatic disturbances are causing a havoc in India. Landslides have destroyed highways and people are stranded in several holy towns like Kedarnath and Badrinath in the state of  Uttarakhand. While more rains are expected in the northern parts of India, and the flood situation in the plains of Uttar Pradesh and Assam is scaring us. For the rest of the country, water scarcity is equally frightening. The issue of providing drinking water for all citizens is under review. Economic condition of the country is largely determined by the availability of the precious resource--water. Pricing water which is used for commercial purposes is not possible as anyone can pump up as much ground water as one wants. Beverage companies had long started their factories at key points where there are water sources. These multi-million Rupee beverage firms should be charged for usage as they are using up India's precious water resource-water; now water is not freely available for all as ground water is running low. Poor people living in slum like conditions take ground water using pumps, and they should not be charged for the few litres of water they take .After all water is a free resource in India. This fact is taken advantage of by five star hotels which have lavish swimming pools and huge fountains. How to treat these commercial uses differently from others? How about you and me? Water is free for all citizens, the service charges of bringing it to our homes is costly. We must use this precious resource carefully as our very lives depend on this.Is water our fundamental right? No. But it is our legal right. It is an implied right; right to life is a fundamental right. And water is needed for life, so it is an implied right. As citizens of India, we should be provided with this life-giving resource. We can pay for the service of bringing it to our homes in pipes,as it is a privilege. And  50% of India gets this privilege of pipe water.Will we get water for ever? No. It is not sustainable as it was thought to be. Only when the clouds bring down the water as rain, it is available. If rain comes in small amounts, then the soil cannot soak it in to replenish the water table. In sufficient rain or only one downpour a in a season does not help replenish the water table. Due to global climate is change, some parts are not going to get enough rain water. Then what will happen? We may have to migrate to the place where there is water. As long as water is flowing in the ground below us, we can enjoy this flowing resource and live comfortably.  We must make sure that ground water is not completely depleted. Let us take care of it, and use it judiciously.