Results for: Water Scarcity

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has stated that his government has no role in addressing Delhi’s water crisis. Despite Delhi’s request for surplus water from Himachal Pradesh, Sukhu claims that the state has no surplus water to provide. Meanwhile, Delhi Water Minister Atishi accuses Haryana of withholding Delhi’s share of water, leading to a decline in water production in the national capital. The Supreme Court has directed the Upper Yamuna River Board to resolve the issue, but Himachal Pradesh insists it has no involvement in the matter.

The water crisis in Delhi is worsening, with citizens resorting to desperate measures to collect water. In Chanakyapuri, people have been seen climbing atop water tankers to collect water in buckets for their daily needs. Delhi Water Minister Atishi has accused Haryana of reducing water flow to the city, alleging a conspiracy against the people of Delhi. The Supreme Court is hearing the matter and is expected to hold a meeting of the Upper Yamuna River Board. Delhi is dependent on the Yamuna for its entire water supply, and the reduction in water flow from Haryana is affecting the city’s water treatment plants and supply.

Despite pledges of $3.36 billion in international and local flood relief funding, Pakistan has only disbursed 29.4% as of May, hindering recovery efforts. Punjab boasts 100% financial progress, while Balochistan lags with only 1.7% utilization. The floods, affecting 33 million people, caused widespread damage to water systems and infrastructure, leaving millions reliant on contaminated water. Pakistan, ranked 5th most vulnerable to climate change, faces increasing risks of extreme weather events, according to a UN report.

Spain’s ongoing drought has wreaked havoc on the country’s tourism industry, particularly in regions heavily reliant on tourism such as Catalonia, Andalusia, and the Balearic and Canary Islands. The lack of rainfall has exacerbated water shortages, putting pressure on both local communities and businesses. The tourism industry, known for its water-intensive practices, is now facing calls to reduce its consumption. Activists and experts argue that non-essential water use in the tourism sector, such as filling swimming pools, should be curtailed during times of drought. Despite the severity of the situation, measures taken to reduce water consumption in the industry have been limited, highlighting the need for stricter water management regulations. The government’s policies have also come under scrutiny, with critics accusing them of prioritizing the interests of the tourism industry over those of local residents.

New Mexico environmental officials are initiating regulations to govern the treatment and reuse of oil industry fracking water, addressing the state’s water scarcity issues and the oil industry’s dwindling options for wastewater disposal. Protestors express concerns about undisclosed contaminants, while oil producers and water service providers request specific water quality standards. Despite the governor’s proposal to invest in treated water from oil and gas drilling, protestors denounce the reuse of toxic wastewater outside the oil field.

As water scarcity becomes increasingly prevalent due to climate change and population growth, scientists are exploring innovative methods to harvest water from the atmosphere. This article highlights various techniques, including fog harvesting, dew collection, and superabsorbent materials, that are being developed to provide reliable water sources in arid regions.

Uttarakhand is facing an acute water crisis due to soaring summer temperatures, lower rainfall, and snowfall this past winter. To address the shortage, the state government has banned the washing of cars using water, while also instructing district magistrates to ensure that cars are “dry washed” instead.

The water crisis has affected several cities in Uttarakhand, including Dehradun, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Didihat, Kotdwar, and Champawat, leading residents to rely on water tankers. The government has identified 317 villages and 148 urban localities with severe water shortages.

The state’s rivers have also seen a decline in water flow, with the government identifying 10 rivers that need to be revived. An action plan will be prepared by district magistrates to revive these rivers and identify more if necessary.

The Centre is also set to launch a water conservation campaign from June 1 to June 7, with Uttarakhand actively participating in the initiative. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has emphasized the importance of water conservation and has directed that rainwater harvesting and solar energy be implemented in government buildings.

The global tomato market is projected to experience steady growth from 2023 to 2027, driven by urbanization, water scarcity, and changing food consumption patterns. Producers are embracing modern irrigation techniques to optimize water usage, contributing to sustainable tomato production while meeting the growing demand for tomato-based products like paste, juice, sauce, and ketchup. These products are becoming increasingly popular in Western diets and the fast-food industry. Tomatoes are also gaining recognition for their health benefits, including cancer and heart disease prevention due to their abundance of vitamins, antioxidants, and lycopene.

Yelagiri Hills, known for its picturesque landscapes, is facing a severe water shortage due to the lack of rainfall since 2021. The village panchayat, comprising 1,598 households, 40 hotels and resorts, and 15 educational institutions, is struggling to meet the daily water consumption of 1 lakh liters. With most water bodies dried up and borewells hitting hard rock, the panchayat is relying on water supply from neighboring villages through tractor tankers. However, the current supply of 50,000 liters daily falls short of the demand. The proposed laying of a water pipeline under the Cauvery Combined Drinking Water Supply Scheme is expected to provide a permanent solution to the water crisis.

Well Aware, an international nonprofit, has partnered with Environmental and Water Resource Consulting Firm INTERA to enhance the success and capacity of water well initiatives in Kenya. By deploying open-source accessible instrumentation alongside state-of-the-art surface geophysical equipment and techniques, they aim to collect an extensive database of hydrogeological information, leading to more efficient and accurate identification of drilling locations and reduced wait times. This partnership will allow Well Aware to provide 25,000 more people with lasting clean water this year, with that number expected to grow year over year with increased funding.