What lies beneath? Maharashtra’s talavs are holding up a mirror to our climate future 🧭 A new @NatureInd article explores what sediment cores from centuries-old reservoirs are telling us — about forgotten floods, rising climate extremes, and the limits of our ageing water infrastructure. The study reveals how El Niño years — often associated with drought — have also brought intense, short-lived floods in semi-arid regions. When the land lies bare after long dry spells, it can’t absorb sudden heavy rains. The result? Severe erosion, silt-clogged tanks, and growing uncertainty for water-dependent communities. Quick fixes like desiltation won’t suffice — especially if we ignore the degraded catchments where the silt is coming from. As Eshwer Kale, watershed management expert at W-CReS (WOTR Centre for Resilience Studies), points out in the article: “We need geological assessments. Will water even percolate in these tanks? In low-percolation zones, silt removal may not solve anything. Meanwhile, bare lands are heating up, adding another layer of stress.” The article brings together insights from global experts — including WOTR — who argue for long-term, landscape-sensitive approaches that blend science, local knowledge, and climate foresight. Because what’s buried in those tank beds is not just silt. It’s a record of past disasters — and a warning we can’t afford to ignore. 🔗 Read the full article by @sahanaghosh8 in Nature India: nature.com/articles/d44151-0… #WatershedDevelopment #climateresilience #TankDesiltation #waterSecurity #ElNino #WOTR4Development #WOTRat30