India’s massive $80 billion coal power expansion is under threat due to severe water shortages. Around 90% of its coal plants depend on freshwater for cooling, but rising temperatures and erratic rainfall—worsened by climate change—are depleting supplies. States like Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh are seeing shutdowns and reduced output. The government is urging efficiency improvements and alternative cooling technologies, but progress is slow. Experts warn that without urgent reforms, India’s power reliability and future energy plans could be seriously undermined by worsening water stress.