A study conducted on the impacts of climate change over the Cauvery basin of Tamil Nadu using regional climate models showed an increasing trend for maximum and minimum temperatures, and decrease in the number of rainy days. These climatic shifts will have an impact on the hydrological cycles in the region, lead to more run-off and less recharge, and affect the groundwater tables. Further, there has been an increase in the frequency of droughts in the State. This has driven farmers to increase dependency on groundwater resources to secure their crops.

Correct Option (C)

The passage elucidates how climate change, characterized by rising temperatures, decreased rainy days, and increased drought frequency, elevates the demand for water resources, particularly groundwater, for agricultural sustenance. Concurrently, these climatic alterations disrupt the natural hydrological cycle, leading to reduced groundwater recharge and overall depletion of water availability. Thus, climate change simultaneously increases the critical importance of water resources while directly jeopardizing their supply.

Incorrect Options:

• Option (A): The passage mentions the use of regional climate models for the study but does not focus on their application in choosing climate-smart agricultural practices. The central theme revolves around the impacts of climate change on water resources and farmer dependency.
• Option (B): While adopting dryland cropping systems could potentially reduce groundwater dependency, the passage does not discuss or propose alternative agricultural methods as its core message. It primarily describes the observed climatic shifts and their consequences.
• Option (D): The passage highlights farmers' increased reliance on groundwater due to climate change impacts. However, it does not broadly discuss "unsustainable livelihoods" or "risky coping strategies" as the primary crux. The focus remains on the dual impact of climate change on water resource criticality and availability.