Caste divides make scorching summers harder in a parched corner of India
Rising heat and water scarcity are deepening old caste inequalities in Bundelkhand region, activists say.
In the drought-prone Bundelkhand region of northern India, the caste system is exacerbating the challenges posed by scorching summers. Mamta, a 40-year-old member of the Dalit community, spends hours collecting water for her family and livestock from a nearby handpump. She must wait until members of the dominant caste have finished using the pump.
This discrimination is not new, but hotter temperatures are worsening water scarcity and intensifying tensions. Officials deny caste discrimination at public water sources, while Dalit residents describe ongoing conflicts over water access. In 2025, 113 cases of caste-based atrocities involving water were registered in the region, according to the Dalit Dignity and Justice Centre.
While efforts to revive traditional water bodies and promote conservation are underway, experts argue that climate change is exacerbating existing inequalities.
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