Geomorphology, one of the comprehensive branches of geography, has evolved from a more descriptive subject to a more applied subject. Rice production in the country is increasingly at risk with enhancing climate variability and change. Rice production demands more irrigation water demand. Cultivation of rice takes around 25 percentage of worlds fresh water resources. There is always a demand supply gap in the production of this staple crop, rice production in Kerala as it produces only less than one-fifth of its requirement. In the present study area, Bharathapuzha basin (BPB), rice is a major crop. Detailed semi structured interview was conducted to understand the water management in rice cropping systems in the basin. The challenges and opportunities in water management are dealt in this research paper. The basin receives a rainfall in the range of 700 mm in the east, north eastern ends and to 2800 mm on the west and north west. Kharif (Viruppu crop) on these lands is largely a rainfed crop grown during the South West Monsoon. Generally starting as a dry broadcast crop, it ends up in wet conditions. Whereas Rabi crop (Mundakan) crop is generally a transplanted crop under assured irrigation grows throughout under continuous wet conditions during the northeast monsoon rainfall. The net irrigation water requirement for paddy varies with season, less during Viruppu and more during Mundakan, ranged from 500 to 1500 mm in the basin, through minor, medium and major irrigation projects. The rising climate extremes, variability and change, more focus must be shown to manage the available surface and ground water for irrigation as paddy requires. Simulation modeling states an increasing crop water demand for rice production in the present and future climate change scenario due to day and night time warming. Cluster analysis identifies blocks with similar characteristics located in different regions of the districts. Farmers have seemed to be benefitting in irrigation management by adopting ICT-based weather early warning and nature-based solutions recently. Even then, in the current harvesting season, Mundakan rice, January 2024, unprecedented rainfall due to cyclonic depressions in Arabian Sea, has spoiled the harvest ready crops in the basin. Farmers stated that there is always an year delay in getting weather-based crop insurance under the Vila Insurance Plan under both state and central government. Crop insurance system must be more vigorous to reduce risks and cater to the timely needs of the marginal, small and medium rice farmers. Efficient crop water management using the possibilities of both traditional natural farming and latest ICTs is a must to sustain and enhance farmers’ income.