Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Shillong faces acute water shortage despite being only 55 km from Cherrapunji and Mawsynram (world's highest rainfall areas) because rainfall does not automatically ensure water availability. The rainwater quickly flows away as runoff and is not adequately stored or conserved for use.

This situation tells us that water scarcity is not always about low rainfall — it is also about poor water management and storage. Hence, Shillong residents have adopted rooftop rainwater harvesting, which meets 15–25% of household water needs. Effective conservation, storage, and management of water resources are essential even in high-rainfall regions.

Source: Water Resources, Chapter 3 (Rainwater Harvesting section)

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• The key fact from the textbook: Cherrapunji/Mawsynram are 55 km from Shillong, yet Shillong faces acute shortage → use this directly.
• The lesson: water scarcity ≠ only low rainfall; management and storage matter equally.
• Always mention the solution given (rooftop rainwater harvesting, 15–25% supply) — examiners expect it for full marks.
• 3-mark answer needs: cause of shortage (1 mark) + broader lesson on management (1 mark) + example/solution (1 mark).