Friday, December 20News That Matters

Tag: Water Crisis

Global Freshwater Crisis: UN Reports Highlight Severe Degradation in 90 Countries

Global Freshwater Crisis: UN Reports Highlight Severe Degradation in 90 Countries

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
A series of alarming reports from UN-Water and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) have revealed that 90 countries, primarily in Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia, are facing significant degradation of their freshwater ecosystems. This widespread decline is marked by reduced river flow, shrinking lakes, increasing pollution, and poor water management, posing serious threats to food security, climate change, and biodiversity. The comprehensive triennial reports draw on the largest data sets ever compiled and highlight a stark contrast between high political commitment and the lack of financial and practical action needed to address the crisis. Despite recent global resolutions on sustainable water management, the reports emphasize the urgent need for enhanced global efforts to mee...
Rising Temperatures Threaten Global Groundwater Safety: Millions at Risk by 2100

Rising Temperatures Threaten Global Groundwater Safety: Millions at Risk by 2100

Breaking News, Disasters
In a stark warning, scientists highlight that without access to lakes or streams, one in four humans relies on underground reservoirs. However, as temperatures soar, these vital water sources face contamination risks. An international study using a global heat transport model reveals that by 2100, up to 590 million people could depend on groundwater that fails to meet safe drinking standards due to warming. This underlines a critical yet often overlooked consequence of climate change on Earth's land. Hydrologist Dylan Irvine from Charles Darwin University emphasizes the need to broaden focus beyond weather events and water availability. The study underscores that warming groundwater can alter its chemical composition, potentially making it unsafe for consumption due to dissolved mine...
Delhi’s Water Crisis Worsens Amid Scorching Heat, Delhi CM Appeals for Help from Central Govt

Delhi’s Water Crisis Worsens Amid Scorching Heat, Delhi CM Appeals for Help from Central Govt

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment
As Delhi battles an intense water crisis amidst soaring temperatures, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday appealed to the Centre and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to urge the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to assist in meeting Delhi's escalating water demand. Mr. Kejriwal emphasized the need for collective action rather than political disputes, stating that the water demand has surged due to the extreme heat while the supply from neighboring states has diminished. "In this scorching heat, the water demand has increased a lot. And the water that Delhi used to get from the neighboring states has also been reduced. That means the demand has increased a lot and the supply has reduced. We all have to solve this together," Mr. Kejriwal wrote in a post on X. "I see that...
Water Crisis Looms as Rivers Run Dry and Reservoirs Dwindle Across India

Water Crisis Looms as Rivers Run Dry and Reservoirs Dwindle Across India

Breaking News, Climate Actions
An alarming water crisis is unfolding across India as rivers run dry and reservoirs reach critically low levels. According to data released by the Central Water Commission (CWC), at least 13 east-flowing rivers between Mahanadi and Pennar currently have no water. These rivers, including Rushikulya, Bahuda, and Vamsadhara, play a crucial role in supplying water for irrigation and domestic consumption in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha. The storage in the basin has witnessed a continuous decline, with the current storage standing at zero. Last year, the storage was 32.28 per cent of the basin's capacity, highlighting the severity of the current situation. Furthermore, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have experienced large rainfall deficits since March 1, exacerbating the water scarcity...