Page 5 - Water Crisis

Bengaluru water crisis to impact local industries in coming weeks: Experts

The concern of a water crisis is already making local federations and industrial bodies to work with government closely so that impact can be minimal

What is the Bengaluru government doing to fix the water crisis?

Bengaluru is facing one of the worst water crises in its history, with 50 per cent of the borewells already dried up. While in our previous video, we have explained the root cause behind the shortage

Water crisis hits Bengaluru: Tanker spotted at CM Siddaramaiah's office

Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar has issued a warning to water tanker owners across the state, stating that their tankers will be seized if they do not register with the authorities by March 7

In 2050, 33% of global river sub-basins could face water scarcity: Study

In 2050, one-third of global river sub-basins are projected to face severe scarcity of clean water due to nitrogen pollution, new research has found. Analysing more than 10,000 global river sub-basins, an international team of researchers found that nitrogen pollution dramatically increased the number of river basin systems considered scarce with regards to its water quality. The supply of clean water for all is one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030. They projected that nitrogen pollution could render many sub-basins in South China, Central Europe, North America, and Africa to become water scarcity hotspots. The team, led by Wageningen University in The Netherlands, has attributed the nitrogen pollution to urbanisation and agriculture. Their findings are published in the journal Nature Communications. River sub-basins are smaller working units of river basins, which are a large source of drinking water but also remain locations of large scale urban

Har Ghar Jal initiative: Can some states come in the way of 100% coverage?

The Jal Shakti ministry's data shows the target is within striking distance: 73.57 per cent of the households have already been covered by this flagship scheme of the Narendra Modi government

Israel to begin desalination program in Lakshadweep today: What it means

The Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) or desalination program is a popular technique adopted by many countries to tackle the issue of scarce water resources

Water production curtailed 25-30% in Delhi's Wazirabad, Chandrawal plants

Due to the high level of pollutants in the Yamuna river at the Wazirabad pond, water production has been curtailed by 25-30 per cent in treatment plants at Wazirabad and Chandrawal, Delhi Jal Board officials said on Monday. Water supply will therefore be available at low pressure in several areas of Delhi from the evening of December 25 till the situation improves, they said. "Due to high level of pollutants (Ammonia more than 2.3 ppm) being received in River Yamuna at Wazirabad pond, water production has been curtailed 25-30 per cent from Water Treatment Plants of Wazirabad and Chandrawal," a DJB notice said. The areas likely to be affected are Civil lines, Hindu Rao Hospital and adjoining areas, Kamla Nagar, Shakti Nagar and adjoining areas, Karol Bagh, Pahar Ganj and NDMC areas, Old and New Rajinder Nagar, Patel Nagar (East and West), Baljeet Nagar, Prem Nagar, Inderpuri and adjoining areas, Kalkaji, Govindpuri, Tugalkabad, Sangam Vihar, and Ambedkar Nagar, it said. Other areas

World Food Day 2023: We must not take water for granted

Freshwater is not infinite, and we need to stop taking it for granted, writes Dr QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization

Poor water quality in 44 of 46 localities of Shillong, govt to launch probe

More than 95 per cent of drinking water supplied to 46 localities of Shillong is harmful for consumption due to the presence of bacteria, high iron content and low pH value, a report of the State Food Testing Laboratory has stated. Concerned over the quality of drinking water supplied to residents of Shillong, the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People, a social organisation, collected water samples from the 46 localities of the city and sent those for testing on August 22. The report, which came recently, indicated that water in only two localities -- Demthring and Mawblei was safe. "The water samples showed the presence of Coliform and E. Coli, low pH value (acidic), high turbidity, and iron content above the prescribed limit indicating that the water in these localities was unsafe for drinking," an office-bearer of the organisation told PTI. Acidic water causes corrosion of pipes while high iron content has health implications and the presence of faecal coliforms in water

Cauvery issue: Karnataka bandh on Sept 29 likely to disrupt normal life

Normal life is likely to be affected, especially in the southern part of the state, with pro-Kannada and farmers' organisations calling for Karnataka Bandh' on Friday to protest the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. Kannada Okkuta', an umbrella organisation for Kannada outfits including factions of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, Kannada Chalavali (Vatal Paksha) and various farmers' bodies have given a call for the statewide dawn-to-dusk shutdown. There will be a massive protest procession from Town Hall to Freedom Park in the city, in which people from all walks of life are likely to participate, the organisers said. They have said that the bandh is for the entire Karnataka and that they will try to shut highways, toll gates, rail services, and also airports. The opposition BJP and JD(S) too have extended their support to the bandh, as also hotels, autorickshaws and hail riders associations in Karnataka. "Autorickshaw Drivers' Union and Ola Uber Drivers and Owners' Association .

HCL, WEF's UpLink opens applications for Zero Water Waste Challenge

Indian firm HCL and UpLink, the open innovation platform of the World Economic Forum, have invited applications for the Zero Water Waste Challenge, which is part of the Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative. The challenge calls for innovative water usage approaches to improve freshwater conservation from supply to demand, moving towards zero water waste, according to a release. This is the second of five challenges from HCL and UpLink's Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative. The initiative aims to create innovation ecosystem for the global freshwater sector. The deadline to apply is October 2, 2023. Under this initiative, HCL committed USD 15 million until 2027 to support the water-focused entrepreneurs. Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Chairperson of HCLTech said that as climate change continues to intensify and fresh-water resources become scarcer, corporates have a unique opportunity to make a substantial difference. "At HCL, we are committed to help resolve this global crisis. In partnership w

Will take action on officials for non-compliance of water release rules: HP

With heavy rains and flash floods devastating Himachal Pradesh, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena on Friday pitched for stringent action against dam authorities not following water release guidelines, saying "it is time to send notices and not letters or reminders". Chairing a meeting on safety issues regarding the discharge of water from dams, Saxena said that though a part of the devastation was natural but responsibility must also be fixed for the failure of the dam authorities in complying with relevant provisions of the Dam Safety Act (DSA) and the Central Water Commission (CWC) guidelines of 2015. Strengthening of early warning system was stressed after 24 students from Andhra Pradesh were washed away as water from the Larji Dam was discharged without prior warning in 2014, he said, adding that the Act provides for surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of all specified reservoirs. However, many dam authorities have failed in fulfilling their duties, resulting in the

Heavy rains cause severe waterlogging in U'khand, SDRF rescues 50 people

The SDRF team reached the spot at night and taking prompt action, rescued about 50 people from the submerged houses and took them to a safe place by raft, said officials

High ocean temperatures harming Florida coral reef, crews race to help

Steps away from the warming waters of Florida Bay, marine biologist Emily Becker removed covers from the dozens of water-filled tanks under her watchful eye. Nestled in seawater carefully maintained at about 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius) lay hundreds of pieces of coral some a sickly white from the bleaching that threatens to kill them, others recovered to a healthy bright iodine in colour. As Becker looked over the coral, crews of reef rescue groups arrived in trucks carrying more brought up by divers in a massive effort aimed at saving the coral from an ocean that is cooking it alive. People jumped into action really quickly, as best as they could, Becker said, wiping sweat from her brow. Up and down the chain of islands that form the Florida Keys, coral rescue groups and government and academic institutions have mobilized to save the coral from a historic bleaching event that experts say threatens the viability of the third-largest reef tract in the world. They've

Cauvery issue: TN CM urges PM to intervene, advise K'taka to release water

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to advise Karnataka to immediately release Cauvery water due to the State as per schedule and clear the 28.8 thousand million cubic feet (tmc ft) shortfall. Stalin, writing to Modi, said the Supreme Court had fixed the share of water to be delivered by Karnataka to Tamil Nadu at Billigundulu, on the inter-state border, as per the monthly schedule. Unfortunately, Karnataka is not honouring the order in letter and spirit and not adhering to the directions of Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA). In the current 2023-2024 water year, Karnataka has released only 11.6 tmc ft of water, as against 40.4 tmc ft due at Billigundulu from 1 June to 31 July, 2023. "Such a huge shortfall of 28.8 tmc ft has been thrust on Tamil Nadu, even while Karnataka has a gross storage of 91 tmc ft in its four major reservoirs, against their full storage capacity of 114.6 tmc ft." On the other hand, the storage position in

Yamuna shows rising trend, Delhi urges people to stay put in relief camps

With the water level in the Yamuna showing a rising trend, the Delhi government urged people on Monday to stay put in the relief camps while assuring them that they are not facing any threat, even as some of them returned to their homes and shops to begin the exercise of rebuilding them. Authorities meanwhile continued the work of pumping out water from flooded roads, with officials saying the water has been cleared from almost all the roads, barring a carriageway of the ITO stretch and Rajghat. However, the removal of silt and mud is being done. Delhi is in the middle of battling one of its worst flood-like scenarios due to the recent heavy rain, with more than 25,000 people evacuated from inundated areas. According to official data, approximately 26,784 people have been evacuated from the flood-affected low-lying areas of Delhi, out of whom around 18,416 people are staying in 47 relief camps (including temporary camps as well as pucca buildings -- schools, community centres etc.).

Himachal Pradesh authorities urge people to boil water before drinking

The water supply in Hamirpur town of Himachal Pradesh was restored on Saturday after a gap of six days amid incessant rainfall in the state, but residents claimed the water is so muddy it is unfit for drinking. Many residents of the town also complained that they were being forced to purchase water from tanker owners at Rs 1,700 per tanker. Officials of the Jal Shakti department said there is a possibility of water bodies getting muddy because of the torrential rain over the last few days and people should take precautions to prevent any water-borne diseases. Superintending Engineer, Jal Shakti, Neeraj Bhogal said although the department was determined to provide clean drinking water, precautions should be taken. He advised the residents of Hamirpur district to boil water for at least 20 minutes before drinking and regularly clean water storage utensils and tanks. Hamirpur district witnessed an outbreak of water-borne diseases in January and jaundice in June this year. The depart

A water crisis in slow motion

India's struggle with flood management, climate change, and its misaligned priorities pose a serious threat to clean water supply in cities

15 killed by floods in China as seasonal torrents hit mountain areas

At least 15 people have been killed by floods in southwestern China as seasonal torrents hit mountain areas, authorities said on Wednesday. Another four people were reported missing by mid-morning in Chongqing, a vast mountainous region of 31 million, almost all of which has now been designated as having flood risk, according to the local government website. The Chongqing floods appear to be China's deadliest amid deluges in other parts of the country. Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated. In just one southwestern province, Sichuan, more than 85,000 people have been evacuated due to flooding, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. Chongqing's flood warning has been upgraded from level four to level three, reflecting the growing seriousness of the crisis. Rescue teams in inflatable boats were ferrying villagers to safety and workers were clearing roads blocked by landslides, according to photos posted on the government website. Seasonal flooding hits large parts of C

Take steps to prevent shortage of drinking water and irrigation needs: KCR

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday instructed the officials to take measure on a war footing to stockpile water in the State's reservoirs from Krishna and Godavari rivers including 'Kaleshwaram'--multi-purpose lift irrigation project. Rao, also known as KCR, held a high level meeting with officials at Secretariat on rainfall, availability of water in the rivers like Pranahita, water storage in the state's reservoirs, electricity demand etc, an official release said. KCR wanted the officials to take steps to prevent shortage of drinking water and irrigation needs in the state, in view of deficient rainfall during June. The Chief Minister advised the officials to give priority to supply of drinking water and to monitor water reserves in the reservoirs under the Godavari and Krishna continuously. KCR said that water reaching through Pranahita should be lifted through Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla projects and fill Mid Manair. From there, half of the water will b