Bengaluru water crisis: As shortage deepens, techies 'move away' from India's Silicon Valley

livemint.com:

Deccan Herald (DH) report, IT professional working at multinational companies have been moving back to their hometowns. Citing the example of a resident of Bengaluru's Ayyappa Nagar, Sumantha, the DH report said that he and his wife faced severe shortage of water, despite paying hefty rent. "The water crisis forced us to move temporarily.

Despite this, we’re still paying a hefty monthly rent of ₹25,000 for a flat we cannot live in," Sumantha told DH. Earlier, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had been receiving several requests via social media to make work from home mandatory for IT companies in the Silicon Valley. The CM was also requested to allow schools to function online.

Residents of Bengaluru, and different resident groups have said that if the online work model worked during Covid-19, it will work during water crisis too. Highlighting that the work from home mandate will allow several residents to move back to their native towns, Bangaloreans on social media said that it will help in reducing the demand for water in the city. "Water crisis - online classes and work from home? If students and employees are allowed to work from home, many will go back to their hometowns, reducing pressure on city!" Citizens' Agenda for Bengaluru (@BengaluruAgenda) wrote.

While Amit Chaudhury (@mrGlassHfEmpty) said, “I believe it is imperative that the government suggest work from home for all companies which can or have been doing it in the Covid era. This will lighten the load on the city. People can go back to their hometowns while the government can plan better." Karnataka, especially its capital, is facing one of the worst water crises in recent years due to poor rainfall in 2023.