Nainital Lake Facing Water Crisis Ahead Of Summers, Records Lowest Levels
Naini Lake faces depletion due to climate change, population growth, and encroaching construction, impacting tourism and drinking water supply.
The iconic Naini Lake in Uttarakhand's Nainital is losing its glory to water woes arising out of climate change amid rapid growth in population and tourism.
Once renowned for its pristine waters and natural beauty, deltas emerging around the lake have now tarnished the beauty of this famous tourist spot.
The lake's water level has reached a record low this year just ahead of the peak tourist season posing a threat of drinking water shortage in the coming months for the local residents. Tourists visiting the hill station during the summer season could also have to endure a significant water scarcity.
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Dipping Water Levels
According to data by the Irrigation Department, the water level in the lake was at 6 feet 10 inches in 2020 which reduced to 4 feet 8 inches in 2023. While it rose by an inch in 2024, it further recorded a dip this year with water level at 4 feet 7 inches.
Water level in Naini Lake in the past years.
2020: 6 feet 10 inches
2021: 5 feet 4 inches
2022: 7 feet 9 inches
2023: 4 feet 8 inches
2024: 4 feet 9 inches
2025: 4 feet 7 inches
The data is evident of reducing water level in the lake which the exprts have blamed on climate change scanty rainfall.
This winter, snowfall and rainfall in the entire Kumaon region, including Nainital, was much less than the average. Due to this, the lake could not get enough water to fill its water sources.
Since last October, Nainital and surrounding areas have received 90 per cent less rainfall than normal, which has reduced the inflow of water into the lake.
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Rapid Growth Of Population, Tourism
Encroachments along the lake's banks and uncontrolled construction activities in the wetland areas are also posing major threat to the lake's declining water levels. Continuous construction work in the wetland areas around the lake is disrupting the natural flow of water.
The lake is also losing its water retention ability due to deforestation and land encroachment in the catchment area. In the hilly regions, deforestation is causing a rapid decline in groundwater levels, which is also affecting the lake's water levels.
The reduced water level is affecting drinking water sources which could mean difficulty for locals in the coming days.
The water crisis is also affecting farmers living in the rural areas surrounding Nainital. Due to a lack of rainfall and snowfall, drought-like conditions are prevailing in the fields. Farmers are not getting enough water for irrigation, which is impacting crop production.
The Executive Engineer of the Irrigation Department, Bijendra Singh, states that the lake's water level continues to decline, which could exacerbate the water crisis in the future. He mentioned that if rainfall doesn't occur, the situation could worsen in the coming times.
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