In the semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan, rainwater harvesting is carried out using traditional methods adapted to the local ecological conditions. People had in-depth knowledge of rainfall regimes and soil types to develop these wide-ranging techniques.

Rooftop rainwater harvesting was commonly practised to store drinking water, particularly in regions like Bikaner, Phalodi, and Barmer. Almost all houses traditionally had underground tanks or tankas for storing water. These tankas were part of a well-developed system and could be as large as a big room.

For instance, one household in Phalodi had a tanka that was 6.1 metres deep, 4.27 metres long, and 2.44 metres wide. This highlights the scale at which water was stored for drinking purposes.

Additionally, agricultural fields were converted into rain fed storage structures. Structures like khadins in Jaisalmer and Johads in other parts of Rajasthan allowed the water to stand and moisten the soil for agriculture.

Today, in western Rajasthan, the practice is on the decline as plenty of water is available due to the perennial Indira Gandhi Canal, though some houses still maintain the tankas.