Desert villagers in Rajasthan turn to traditional ingenuity to beat intense heat, water scarcity

Villagers in Rajasthan's Thar Desert are adapting to intense heat and water scarcity caused by a severe heatwave. The Indira Gandhi Canal, which provides water to the region, is facing maintenance issues, leading to water shortages. Families are using traditional methods like thatched roofs to trap air and reduce interior temperature, and drip irrigation to conserve water.

The lack of water has affected agriculture, forcing farmers to switch to drought-resistant crops like jowar. The canal's closure for maintenance has also impacted cattle, industrial usage, and Army cantonments. Despite these challenges, the canal water has helped raise the groundwater table, providing an additional source of irrigation for farmers.