Twelve people have died and thousands have fallen ill after a river in southern DR Congo was polluted by toxic waste from a diamond mine, the government said.

Pollution of the Kasai River came to light in July, when local residents said its waters had turned red and dead fish were seen floating at the city of Tshikapa, near the Angolan-owned mine.&nbsp;

In addition to 12 fatalities, whose cause of death is unknown, 4,502 cases of diarrhoea and skin-related illness have been recorded, Environment Minister Eve Bazaiba said late Thursday.

"This catastrophe was caused by an Angolan mining company, which has acknowledged the facts," she said, reporting on the findings of an expert bilateral commission of inquiry.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/women-protest-in-afghanistans-herat-over-right-to-education-work-410216">Also read |&nbsp;Women protest in Afghanistan's Herat over right to education, work</a>

In July, Bazaiba linked the pollution to a "spill of toxic substances by an Angolan factory specialising in industrial diamond mining".

Local officials also saw dead hippos in the Kasai, a major tributary to the Congo, the second longest African river after the Nile.

Four out of the five administrative territories in Kasai province have been affected by the disaster, totalling 968,000 people, the probe found.

The provincial authorities banned consumption of the river water, but it was too late to avoid some people falling sick.

The government said 40 tonnes (88,000 pounds) of medication to the area and the national water company is taking steps to increase supplies to those affected.

"Compensation should be paid to those who are victims, on the basis of the polluter-pays principle," the government said.

Twelve people have died and thousands have fallen ill after a river in southern DR Congo was polluted by toxic waste from a diamond mine, the government said. Pollution of the Kasai River came to light in July, when local residents said its waters had turned red and dead fish were seen floating at the city of Tshikapa, near the Angolan-owned mine.

Twelve people have died and thousands have fallen ill after a river in southern DR Congo was polluted by toxic waste from a diamond mine, the government said. Pollution of the Kasai River came to light in July, when local residents said its waters had turned red and dead fish were seen floating at the city of Tshikapa, near the Angolan-owned mine. In addition to 12 fatalities, whose cause of death is unknown, 4,502 cases of diarrhoea and skin-related illness have been recorded, Environment Minister Eve Bazaiba said late Thursday. "This catastrophe was caused by an Angolan mining company, which has acknowledged the facts," she said, reporting on the findings of an expert bilateral commission of inquiry. Also read | Women protest in Afghanistan's Herat over right to education, work In July, Bazaiba linked the pollution to a "spill of toxic substances by an Angolan factory specialising in industrial diamond mining". Local officials also saw dead hippos in the Kasai, a major tributary to the Congo, the second longest African river after the Nile. Four out of the five administrative territories in Kasai province have been affected by the disaster, totalling 968,000 people, the probe found. The provincial authorities banned consumption of the river water, but it was too late to avoid some people falling sick. The government said 40 tonnes (88,000 pounds) of medication to the area and the national water company is taking steps to increase supplies to those affected. "Compensation should be paid to those who are victims, on the basis of the polluter-pays principle," the government said.

12 dead after mining pollution in DR Congo river

Each morning, a group of Filipinos rakes up piles of&nbsp;trash&nbsp;on the banks of one of the world's most polluted rivers, filling sacks in an endless pursuit to clean a waterway that is also a major source of ocean plastics.

These "river warriors" are a decade-old group of about 100 people who work to clear the glut of garbage floating or washed up along Manila's notorious Pasig River.

The 27 km (16.8 mile) river cutting through the&nbsp;Philippine&nbsp;capital was once a vital trade route. But urbanisation and poor sewage planning have left the river all but dead.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deaths-outnumber-births-in-britain-for-the-first-time-since-1976-393790">Also Read |&nbsp;Deaths outnumber births in Britain for the first time since 1976</a>

"There's never a time without garbage here. It's unlimited," said Angelita Imperio, a river warrior for six years.

The warriors wear rubber boots and elbow-length gloves, using rakes and handmade tools to scoop rubbish from stagnant waters in different locations.

The warriors started off as volunteers but now receive a basic income from a local government and operate in small groups at different parts of the river.

Dexter Opiana, another river warrior with six years of service, says she and about 19 others work shifts of about seven hours and collect an average of 80 to 100 sacks a day, more during monsoon season.

Most of it is plastic wrappers, single-use sachets, and packaging materials. Since the pandemic began, surgical face masks are sometimes mixed in among the other floating garbage.

Pasig's&nbsp;trash&nbsp;isn't just a&nbsp;Philippine&nbsp;problem.

A 2021 report by Oxford University's Our World in Data estimated 81% of global ocean plastic comes from Asian rivers and the&nbsp;Philippines alone contributes a third of that total.

The Pasig River alone provides up to 6.43% of ocean plastic originating from rivers, the report said.

Despite the&nbsp;warriors'&nbsp;Sisyphean task, they are optimistic of better days ahead.&nbsp;

"This has been our advocacy, to have the river cleaned for the sake of our children, our parents, our nation and mother nature," Imperio said.

Joan Lagunda, assistant secretary at the environment department, said authorities were coordinating with local governments to establish proper waste segregation practices and want informal settlers on the riverbanks to be moved.&nbsp;

Marian Ledesma, a campaigner with Greenpeace&nbsp;Philippines, said the government should reduce single-use plastics and strengthen law enforcement on waste disposal and sewage.

"I've seen it done in other cities, in other countries, so I don't think it's impossible to revive and clean up Pasig River," she said.

"It will need a collective action."&nbsp;

Each morning, a group of Filipinos rakes up piles of trash on the banks of one of the world's most polluted rivers, filling sacks in an endless pursuit to clean a waterway that is also a major source of ocean plastics.

Each morning, a group of Filipinos rakes up piles of trash on the banks of one of the world's most polluted rivers, filling sacks in an endless pursuit to clean a waterway that is also a major source of ocean plastics. These "river warriors" are a decade-old group of about 100 people who work to clear the glut of garbage floating or washed up along Manila's notorious Pasig River. The 27 km (16.8 mile) river cutting through the Philippine capital was once a vital trade route. But urbanisation and poor sewage planning have left the river all but dead. Also Read | Deaths outnumber births in Britain for the first time since 1976 "There's never a time without garbage here. It's unlimited," said Angelita Imperio, a river warrior for six years. The warriors wear rubber boots and elbow-length gloves, using rakes and handmade tools to scoop rubbish from stagnant waters in different locations. The warriors started off as volunteers but now receive a basic income from a local government and operate in small groups at different parts of the river. Dexter Opiana, another river warrior with six years of service, says she and about 19 others work shifts of about seven hours and collect an average of 80 to 100 sacks a day, more during monsoon season. Most of it is plastic wrappers, single-use sachets, and packaging materials. Since the pandemic began, surgical face masks are sometimes mixed in among the other floating garbage. Pasig's trash isn't just a Philippine problem. A 2021 report by Oxford University's Our World in Data estimated 81% of global ocean plastic comes from Asian rivers and the Philippines alone contributes a third of that total. The Pasig River alone provides up to 6.43% of ocean plastic originating from rivers, the report said. Despite the warriors' Sisyphean task, they are optimistic of better days ahead. "This has been our advocacy, to have the river cleaned for the sake of our children, our parents, our nation and mother nature," Imperio said. Joan Lagunda, assistant secretary at the environment department, said authorities were coordinating with local governments to establish proper waste segregation practices and want informal settlers on the riverbanks to be moved. Marian Ledesma, a campaigner with Greenpeace Philippines, said the government should reduce single-use plastics and strengthen law enforcement on waste disposal and sewage. "I've seen it done in other cities, in other countries, so I don't think it's impossible to revive and clean up Pasig River," she said. "It will need a collective action."

Philippine 'river warriors' fight tide of trash for cleaner future

At least 17 people were killed after a passenger van they were travelling in plunged into a river in Pakistan's mountainous Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

The vehicle was heading from Chilas to Rawalpindi when it fell into the Indus River in the Paniba area of Kohistan district, Dawn newspaper&nbsp;reported.

The van, privately hired by the family for a visit, had 17 people, including the driver.&nbsp;The accident took place when the driver lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a sharp turn.

It veered off into the Indus River and got submerged soon after, the police said, adding that 17 people have died in the incident.&nbsp;Rescue teams were trying to locate the missing passengers but faced hurdles due to the difficult terrain and depth of the river.

The roads linking the northern regions of the country run through some of the most treacherous mountains, causing frequent mishaps.&nbsp;

At least 17 people were killed after a passenger van they were travelling in plunged into a river in Pakistan's mountainous Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. The vehicle was heading from Chilas to Rawalpindi when it fell into the Indus River in the Paniba area of Kohistan district, Dawn newspaper reported.

At least 17 people were killed after a passenger van they were travelling in plunged into a river in Pakistan's mountainous Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. The vehicle was heading from Chilas to Rawalpindi when it fell into the Indus River in the Paniba area of Kohistan district, Dawn newspaper reported. The van, privately hired by the family for a visit, had 17 people, including the driver. The accident took place when the driver lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a sharp turn. It veered off into the Indus River and got submerged soon after, the police said, adding that 17 people have died in the incident. Rescue teams were trying to locate the missing passengers but faced hurdles due to the difficult terrain and depth of the river. The roads linking the northern regions of the country run through some of the most treacherous mountains, causing frequent mishaps.

17 killed as passenger van falls into river in Pakistan

Nine people have drowned after their overloaded jeep fell into the Yarkhoon River in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to a media report on Monday. The accident occurred on the Onauch Suspension Bridge, near Yarkhoon Valley, on Sunday, the Dawn newspaper reported.

The jeep began its journey with 11 people aboard, including the driver, from Chitral city to the Yarkhoon Valley.

Assistant Commissioner, Mastuj tehsil, Shah Adnan told the newspaper that the vehicle was overloaded with cargo tied to the roof, which could have caused the vehicle to lose balance on the bridge and break through its railing.

Of the 11 travellers in total, 10 persons died, while one managed to swim to safety. Rescue teams are trying to retrieve the bodies from the sunk vehicle.

Nine people have drowned after their overloaded jeep fell into the Yarkhoon River in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to a media report on Monday. The accident occurred on the Onauch Suspension Bridge, near Yarkhoon Valley, on Sunday, the Dawn newspaper reported.

Nine people have drowned after their overloaded jeep fell into the Yarkhoon River in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to a media report on Monday. The accident occurred on the Onauch Suspension Bridge, near Yarkhoon Valley, on Sunday, the Dawn newspaper reported. The jeep began its journey with 11 people aboard, including the driver, from Chitral city to the Yarkhoon Valley. Assistant Commissioner, Mastuj tehsil, Shah Adnan told the newspaper that the vehicle was overloaded with cargo tied to the roof, which could have caused the vehicle to lose balance on the bridge and break through its railing. Of the 11 travellers in total, 10 persons died, while one managed to swim to safety. Rescue teams are trying to retrieve the bodies from the sunk vehicle.

Nine die after overloaded jeep plunges into river in Pakistan

Panama’s consul to Bogota Telma Deleise Barria Pinzon, her husband and another family member died when their car was swept away by a river in rural Colombia which was battered by heavy rains.

The 60-year-old diplomat&nbsp;was travelling with her husband and fellow diplomat Pedro Cantillo, another family member and two others&nbsp;when they ran into trouble trying to cross the Frio river in an official vehicle.

The events occurred around 7 pm on Monday and Barria’s body was recovered by rescue workers four hours later. Two more bodies were found on Tuesday morning. The other two people in the car were unharmed.

The five were on their way to a resting spot that could only be reached by crossing the river.

Colonel Diego Vasquez, commander of the Neiva Metropolitan Police, said the vehicle was trapped in the middle of rocks in the river.

"The victims tried to cross the river to reach the Carambolo Hotel where they were staying," he said.

The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent condolences over the consul's death.&nbsp;

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs regrets the death of the Consul of Panama in Colombia and her husband. We send our solidarity to their families, colleagues and friends at this difficult time," a statement from the Colombian government said.

Torrential&nbsp;rains have caused flooding and increased water levels in different parts of Colombia on Monday and Tuesday.

(With inputs from agencies)

Panama’s consul to Bogota Telma Deleise Barria Pinzon, her husband and another family member died when their car was swept away by a river in rural Colombia which was battered by heavy rains.

Panama’s consul to Bogota Telma Deleise Barria Pinzon, her husband and another family member died when their car was swept away by a river in rural Colombia which was battered by heavy rains. The 60-year-old diplomat was travelling with her husband and fellow diplomat Pedro Cantillo, another family member and two others when they ran into trouble trying to cross the Frio river in an official vehicle. The events occurred around 7 pm on Monday and Barria’s body was recovered by rescue workers four hours later. Two more bodies were found on Tuesday morning. The other two people in the car were unharmed. The five were on their way to a resting spot that could only be reached by crossing the river. Colonel Diego Vasquez, commander of the Neiva Metropolitan Police, said the vehicle was trapped in the middle of rocks in the river. "The victims tried to cross the river to reach the Carambolo Hotel where they were staying," he said. The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent condolences over the consul's death. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs regrets the death of the Consul of Panama in Colombia and her husband. We send our solidarity to their families, colleagues and friends at this difficult time," a statement from the Colombian government said. Torrential rains have caused flooding and increased water levels in different parts of Colombia on Monday and Tuesday. (With inputs from agencies)

Video: Panama consul Telma Deleise Barria dies in Colombia floods after car swept away

Evidence of a 'lost' river that ran through Thar Desert in India have been found. The river flowed though the desert 172 thousand years ago near present-day Bikaner. Researchers say that the river may have been a life-line to human population inhabiting the region.

The study was carried out by researchers from Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Germany along with Anna University in Tamil Nadu, and IISER Kolkata. The study indicates that Stone Age populations lived in Thar Desert landscape that was distinctly different than today.

The findings, published in the journal Quaternary Science Reviews, represent the oldest directly dated phase of river activity at Nal Quarry in the central Thar Desert.

The evidence indicates a river flowed with phases of activity dating to approximately up to 172 thousand years ago, nearby to Bikaner, Rajasthan, which is over 200 kilometres away from the nearest modern river.

These findings predate evidence for activity in modern river courses across the Thar Desert as well as dried up course of the Ghaggar-Hakra River, the researchers said.

The presence of a river running through the central Thar Desert would have offered a life-line to Paleolithic populations, and potentially an important corridor for migrations, they said.

The researchers noted that the potential importance of 'lost' rivers for earlier inhabitants of the Thar Desert have been overlooked.

"The Thar Desert has a rich prehistory, and we've been uncovering a wide range of evidence showing how Stone Age populations not only survived but thrived in these semi-arid landscapes," said Jimbob Blinkhorn from The Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History.

"We know how important rivers can be to living in this region, but we have little detail on what river systems were like during key periods of prehistory," Blinkhorn said.

Studies of satellite imagery have shown a dense network of river channels crossing the Thar Desert, according to the researchers.

"These studies can indicate where rivers and streams have flowed in the past, but they can't tell us when," explained Professor Hema Achyuthan of Anna University.

"To demonstrate how old such channels are, we had to find evidence on the ground for river activity in the middle of the desert," Achyuthan said.

The team studied a deep deposit of river sands and gravels, which had been exposed by quarrying activity near the village of Nal.

The researchers were able to document different phases of river activity by studying the different deposits.

"We immediately saw evidence for a substantial and very active river system from the bottom of the fluvial deposits, which gradually decreased in power through time," Achyuthan said.

The researchers used a method called luminescence dating to understand when quartz grains in the river sands were buried.

The results indicated that the strongest river activity at Nal occurred at approximately 172 and 140 thousand years ago, at a time when the monsoon was much weaker than today in the region.

River activity continued at the site between 95 to 78 thousand years ago, after which only limited evidence for the presence of a river at the site, with evidence for a brief reactivation of the channel 26 thousand years ago, the study found.

The river was flowing at its strongest during a phase of weak monsoonal activity in the region, and may have been a life-line to human populations enabling them to inhabit the Thar Desert, the researchers said.

The timeframe over which this river was active also overlaps with significant changes in human behaviour in the region, which have been linked with the earliest expansions of Homo sapiens from Africa into India, they said.

"This river flowed at a critical timeframe for understanding human evolution in the Thar Desert, across South Asia and beyond," said Blinkhorn.

"This suggests a landscape in which the earliest members of our own species, Homo sapiens, first encountered the monsoons and crossed the Thar Desert may have been very different to the landscape we can see today," he added. 
&nbsp;

Evidence of a 'lost' river that ran through Thar Desert in India have been found. The river flowed though the desert 172 thousand years ago near present-day Bikaner.

Evidence of a 'lost' river that ran through Thar Desert in India have been found. The river flowed though the desert 172 thousand years ago near present-day Bikaner. Researchers say that the river may have been a life-line to human population inhabiting the region. The study was carried out by researchers from Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Germany along with Anna University in Tamil Nadu, and IISER Kolkata. The study indicates that Stone Age populations lived in Thar Desert landscape that was distinctly different than today. The findings, published in the journal Quaternary Science Reviews, represent the oldest directly dated phase of river activity at Nal Quarry in the central Thar Desert. The evidence indicates a river flowed with phases of activity dating to approximately up to 172 thousand years ago, nearby to Bikaner, Rajasthan, which is over 200 kilometres away from the nearest modern river. These findings predate evidence for activity in modern river courses across the Thar Desert as well as dried up course of the Ghaggar-Hakra River, the researchers said. The presence of a river running through the central Thar Desert would have offered a life-line to Paleolithic populations, and potentially an important corridor for migrations, they said. The researchers noted that the potential importance of 'lost' rivers for earlier inhabitants of the Thar Desert have been overlooked. "The Thar Desert has a rich prehistory, and we've been uncovering a wide range of evidence showing how Stone Age populations not only survived but thrived in these semi-arid landscapes," said Jimbob Blinkhorn from The Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History. "We know how important rivers can be to living in this region, but we have little detail on what river systems were like during key periods of prehistory," Blinkhorn said. Studies of satellite imagery have shown a dense network of river channels crossing the Thar Desert, according to the researchers. "These studies can indicate where rivers and streams have flowed in the past, but they can't tell us when," explained Professor Hema Achyuthan of Anna University. "To demonstrate how old such channels are, we had to find evidence on the ground for river activity in the middle of the desert," Achyuthan said. The team studied a deep deposit of river sands and gravels, which had been exposed by quarrying activity near the village of Nal. The researchers were able to document different phases of river activity by studying the different deposits. "We immediately saw evidence for a substantial and very active river system from the bottom of the fluvial deposits, which gradually decreased in power through time," Achyuthan said. The researchers used a method called luminescence dating to understand when quartz grains in the river sands were buried. The results indicated that the strongest river activity at Nal occurred at approximately 172 and 140 thousand years ago, at a time when the monsoon was much weaker than today in the region. River activity continued at the site between 95 to 78 thousand years ago, after which only limited evidence for the presence of a river at the site, with evidence for a brief reactivation of the channel 26 thousand years ago, the study found. The river was flowing at its strongest during a phase of weak monsoonal activity in the region, and may have been a life-line to human populations enabling them to inhabit the Thar Desert, the researchers said. The timeframe over which this river was active also overlaps with significant changes in human behaviour in the region, which have been linked with the earliest expansions of Homo sapiens from Africa into India, they said. "This river flowed at a critical timeframe for understanding human evolution in the Thar Desert, across South Asia and beyond," said Blinkhorn. "This suggests a landscape in which the earliest members of our own species, Homo sapiens, first encountered the monsoons and crossed the Thar Desert may have been very different to the landscape we can see today," he added.

'Lost' river that flowed through Thar Desert 172k years ago found

Diesel fuel from a major spill in the Russian Arctic has reached the waters of a pristine lake that serves as the basin for a river flowing into the Arctic Ocean, a senior official said on Tuesday (June 9)

Fuel from Russian Arctic spill reaches large lake, says Governor

Rivers worldwide are polluted with antibiotics that exceed environmental safety thresholds by up to 300 times, according to research unveiled at a conference on May 27. Scientists found one or more common antibiotics in two-thirds of 711 samples taken from rivers in 72 countries, they told a meeting of environmental toxicologists in Helsinki.

‘World’s rivers loaded with antibiotics waste’

Union Road Transport, Highways and Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari today said that the problem of pollution in Ganga would be solved within the next 13 months.

He said Ganga is now flowing uninterruptedly due to various schemes implemented under Namami Ganga project during the last four years, the minister said inaugurating and announcing various projects for the welfare of the people in the region.

He said water transport facility had been provided from Allahabad to Farakka and up to the border of Bangladesh.

Cleaning Ganga was one of the major issues in the election manifesto of the BJP before the general elections in 2014. Several attempts by the previous government to make it clean had failed.

Gadkari thanked the MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy for taking a keen interest in these projects.

“In the next five years, you will be getting around (development projects worth) 1 lakh crore rupees,” Gadkari said.

Union Road Transport, Highways and Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari today said that the problem of pollution in Ganga would be solved within the next 13 months.

Union Road Transport, Highways and Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari today said that the problem of pollution in Ganga would be solved within the next 13 months. He said Ganga is now flowing uninterruptedly due to various schemes implemented under Namami Ganga project during the last four years, the minister said inaugurating and announcing various projects for the welfare of the people in the region. He said water transport facility had been provided from Allahabad to Farakka and up to the border of Bangladesh. Cleaning Ganga was one of the major issues in the election manifesto of the BJP before the general elections in 2014. Several attempts by the previous government to make it clean had failed. Gadkari thanked the MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy for taking a keen interest in these projects. “In the next five years, you will be getting around (development projects worth) 1 lakh crore rupees,” Gadkari said.

Ganga to be cleaned within 13 months: Nitin Gadkari

At least eight people died in Bihar’s Bhagalpur district after the boat they were travelling in capsized in Kosi river on Sunday, news agency ANI reported.

“Seven people were rescued and sent to Sadar Hospital for treatment,” an official said.

At least eight people died in Bihar’s Bhagalpur district after the boat they were travelling in capsized in Kosi river on Sunday, news agency ANI reported. “Seven people were rescued and sent to Sadar Hospital for treatment,” an official said.

8 feared dead as boat capsizes in Kosi river in Bihar's Bhagalpur

A 20-year old woman today allegedly committed suicide in Rajamahendravaram, Andhra Pradesh, by jumping into a nearby river along with her two minor children, police said.

The woman took the extreme step due to a family dispute, they added.

The bodies of the children, aged five and three, were fished out from the Godavari river while a search was on for the woman's body, police said.

According to Kovvur Town police Sub-Inspector Ramesh, the woman's husband, employed in a cloth merchant shop, was informed about the incident and helped identify the bodies.

The woman had written to her father-in-law before taking the decision to end her life and that of her children, the Sub-Inspector added.&nbsp

The woman took the extreme step due to a family dispute, they added

A 20-year old woman today allegedly committed suicide in Rajamahendravaram, Andhra Pradesh, by jumping into a nearby river along with her two minor children, police said. The woman took the extreme step due to a family dispute, they added. The bodies of the children, aged five and three, were fished out from the Godavari river while a search was on for the woman's body, police said. According to Kovvur Town police Sub-Inspector Ramesh, the woman's husband, employed in a cloth merchant shop, was informed about the incident and helped identify the bodies. The woman had written to her father-in-law before taking the decision to end her life and that of her children, the Sub-Inspector added.

Woman kills her 2 kids, ends life by jumping into river

China's hydro ambitions are on the verge of killing Mekong River, says a report.

A report published by the Lowy Institute says that biodiversity and precious resources of the Mekong are increasingly under danger because of the rush to construct dams on one of the world's great rivers.

The Mekong River is the lifeblood of Southeast Asia and offers a glimpse into the long history and diverse cultures of the region. The 12th longest river in the world and the 7th longest in Asia, it flows through six countries: China, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

"A total of 11 mainstream dams and 120 dams on tributaries are planned, which scientists warn will imperil the already fragile river system. Recent studies call for a suspension and review of future projects," says the report authored by Tom Fawthrop.

It also cites a joint report by UNESCO and the Stockholm Environment Institute as saying that if all the dams proposed for the Lower Mekong Basin are developed, including the planned or ongoing 11 mainstream dams, it could prevent up to 94 per cent of the river's sediment load from being transported further downstream.

Sediment is critical to the health of the river and essential for replenishing fish life.

The Mekong ranks as one of the world's most productive inland fisheries. Its basin banks support a population of 60 million Thai, Laotians, Cambodians, and Vietnamese.

Fawthrop in his report titled 'Mekong: more dams, more damage' says that "the UNESCO report has warned that Chinese dams built on the upper sections, known as Lancang, have caused a 70 per cent reduction in sediment, which will adversely impact fisheries and rice production in Cambodia and Vietnam".

Few countries in the world are more dependent on fish consumption than Cambodia, where fish provide 80 per cent of the population's annual protein intake and account for approximately 12 per cent of GDP.

The Lowy Institute article says that scientific reports warning about the Mekong crisis have had little impact so far on regional policymakers, energy ministers, economists, and Chinese hydropower companies.

"These powers are so totally immersed in infrastructure development, energy supply, and GDP growth that they appear scarcely aware of (or perhaps just don't care about) the other side of the growth equation.&nbsp;

There is no social audit for the economic value of the erosion and loss of precious natural resources," says the article.

A study "Economic Evaluation of Hydropower Projects in the Lower Mekong Basin" says that if all 11 dams go ahead, the economy of the lower Mekong will be set back a staggering 7.3 billion US dollars over the next fifty years.

Fawthrop concludes his article by saying that since the alternative sources of energy are readily available, the call for a moratorium on dam-building is clearly the least risky policy option and the only way to protect both the fisheries and the riparian peoples of the Mekong.

A report published by the Lowy Institute says that biodiversity and precious resources of the Mekong are increasingly under danger because of the rush to construct dams

China's hydro ambitions are on the verge of killing Mekong River, says a report. A report published by the Lowy Institute says that biodiversity and precious resources of the Mekong are increasingly under danger because of the rush to construct dams on one of the world's great rivers. The Mekong River is the lifeblood of Southeast Asia and offers a glimpse into the long history and diverse cultures of the region. The 12th longest river in the world and the 7th longest in Asia, it flows through six countries: China, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. "A total of 11 mainstream dams and 120 dams on tributaries are planned, which scientists warn will imperil the already fragile river system. Recent studies call for a suspension and review of future projects," says the report authored by Tom Fawthrop. It also cites a joint report by UNESCO and the Stockholm Environment Institute as saying that if all the dams proposed for the Lower Mekong Basin are developed, including the planned or ongoing 11 mainstream dams, it could prevent up to 94 per cent of the river's sediment load from being transported further downstream. Sediment is critical to the health of the river and essential for replenishing fish life. The Mekong ranks as one of the world's most productive inland fisheries. Its basin banks support a population of 60 million Thai, Laotians, Cambodians, and Vietnamese. Fawthrop in his report titled 'Mekong: more dams, more damage' says that "the UNESCO report has warned that Chinese dams built on the upper sections, known as Lancang, have caused a 70 per cent reduction in sediment, which will adversely impact fisheries and rice production in Cambodia and Vietnam". Few countries in the world are more dependent on fish consumption than Cambodia, where fish provide 80 per cent of the population's annual protein intake and account for approximately 12 per cent of GDP. The Lowy Institute article says that scientific reports warning about the Mekong crisis have had little impact so far on regional policymakers, energy ministers, economists, and Chinese hydropower companies. "These powers are so totally immersed in infrastructure development, energy supply, and GDP growth that they appear scarcely aware of (or perhaps just don't care about) the other side of the growth equation. There is no social audit for the economic value of the erosion and loss of precious natural resources," says the article. A study "Economic Evaluation of Hydropower Projects in the Lower Mekong Basin" says that if all 11 dams go ahead, the economy of the lower Mekong will be set back a staggering 7.3 billion US dollars over the next fifty years. Fawthrop concludes his article by saying that since the alternative sources of energy are readily available, the call for a moratorium on dam-building is clearly the least risky policy option and the only way to protect both the fisheries and the riparian peoples of the Mekong.

China's ambitions are killing the Mekong River

Arunachal Pradesh&#39;s Siang river in&nbsp;Pasighar has suddenly become black, with&nbsp;massive amounts of mud and cement, due to a diversion of the river in Tibet, reports said.&nbsp;

Ninong Ering, Congress MP from the east Constituency said that the recent change in the water quality is very unusual during winters and could be because of&nbsp;construction of a 10,000-kilometer tunnel in China which has led to the diversion of&nbsp;water from Siang to &nbsp;Xinjiang province to the Taklamakan desert.&nbsp;

However, China has denied these claims, PTI reports.&nbsp;

Ering reportedly sent a letter to&nbsp;Prime Minister Narendra Modi,&nbsp;on Saturday,&nbsp;requesting him to take up the issue with the Chinese government, after stating&nbsp;that there could possibly be no other reason for the river to be in such a bad condition at this time of year other than due to a massive land excavation in China.

&quot;The reason for the river getting dirty is unknown. I have already put questions for discussions in Parliament under rule 377. But since it is not in session, I am requesting you to use your good office to seek the reason of the river being muddy in this season when the water is crystal clear,&#39; the letter said.&nbsp;

&ldquo;When I saw the water, it looked like it was mixed with cement. It is a very serious issue and the Centre must take it seriously&rdquo; the MP said.

Ering stated that a number of fish&nbsp;had died in the last one and a half months in Upper Siang district, close to the China border.

He has also put a request with the External Affairs Ministry and the Water Resources ministry to expedite measures to check the reported diversion. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

Ering further stated that a number of fishes had died in the last one and a half months after getting confirmation from Tuting and Geling areas in Upper Siang district close to China border

Arunachal Pradesh's Siang river in Pasighar has suddenly become black, with massive amounts of mud and cement, due to a diversion of the river in Tibet, reports said. Ninong Ering, Congress MP from the east Constituency said that the recent change in the water quality is very unusual during winters and could be because of construction of a 10,000-kilometer tunnel in China which has led to the diversion of water from Siang to Xinjiang province to the Taklamakan desert. However, China has denied these claims, PTI reports. Ering reportedly sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday, requesting him to take up the issue with the Chinese government, after stating that there could possibly be no other reason for the river to be in such a bad condition at this time of year other than due to a massive land excavation in China. "The reason for the river getting dirty is unknown. I have already put questions for discussions in Parliament under rule 377. But since it is not in session, I am requesting you to use your good office to seek the reason of the river being muddy in this season when the water is crystal clear,' the letter said. “When I saw the water, it looked like it was mixed with cement. It is a very serious issue and the Centre must take it seriously” the MP said. Ering stated that a number of fish had died in the last one and a half months in Upper Siang district, close to the China border. He has also put a request with the External Affairs Ministry and the Water Resources ministry to expedite measures to check the reported diversion. (With inputs from PTI)

Siang river in Arunachal turns black, MP suspects China's involvement

Hindus across India offered prayers and took holy dip in river Ganges and other sacred water bodies on Tuesday (September 19) for the well-being of their departed ancestors&#39; souls on the final day of &#39;Pitru Paksh&#39; or fortnight of ancestors.

According to the Hindu tradition, &#39;Pitru Paksha&#39; is a 15-lunar day period. It falls in the Hindu lunar month of Bhadrapada (September-October), beginning with the full moon day (Purnima) that occurs immediately after the 10-day festival of &#39;Ganesh Chaturthi&#39; and ends with the new moon day.

On this day, men and women stand in waist-deep waters in rivers and seas at the break of dawn and offer food items and flowers, among other things, to their ancestors.

A local resident of northern Allahabad city, Yogendra Tiwari, said that it is believed that the offerings made during the rituals reach the ancestors in Heaven.

People offer special food items to their ancestors as part of the age-old rituals. These food items are cooked in silver or copper vessels and served on a banana leaf or utensils made of dried leaves.

The menu normally includes, &#39;kheer&#39; (a traditional sweet pudding made from milk and rice), &#39;lapsi&#39; (a sweet porridge made of wheat grains), rice, lentils, vegetables of spring beans and pumpkin.

The rituals are also a way of expressing gratitude to the previous generations and seeking their blessings.

In Hinduism, &#39;Pitru Paksha&#39; is considered an inauspicious time to start new ventures or buy anything new, given the death rites performed during the ceremony known as &#39;Sharad&#39;.

&#39;Pitra Paksha&#39; is followed by the start of &#39;Navratri&#39; or nine nights - a nine-day-long festival dedicated to the as many incarnations of Hindu goddess Durga.

According to the Hindu tradition, 'Pitru Paksha' is a 15-lunar day period. It falls in the Hindu lunar month of Bhadrapada (September-October), beginning with the full moon day (Purnima) that occurs immediately after the 10-day festival of 'Ganesh Chaturthi' and ends with the new moon day.

Hindus across India offered prayers and took holy dip in river Ganges and other sacred water bodies on Tuesday (September 19) for the well-being of their departed ancestors' souls on the final day of 'Pitru Paksh' or fortnight of ancestors. According to the Hindu tradition, 'Pitru Paksha' is a 15-lunar day period. It falls in the Hindu lunar month of Bhadrapada (September-October), beginning with the full moon day (Purnima) that occurs immediately after the 10-day festival of 'Ganesh Chaturthi' and ends with the new moon day. On this day, men and women stand in waist-deep waters in rivers and seas at the break of dawn and offer food items and flowers, among other things, to their ancestors. A local resident of northern Allahabad city, Yogendra Tiwari, said that it is believed that the offerings made during the rituals reach the ancestors in Heaven. People offer special food items to their ancestors as part of the age-old rituals. These food items are cooked in silver or copper vessels and served on a banana leaf or utensils made of dried leaves. The menu normally includes, 'kheer' (a traditional sweet pudding made from milk and rice), 'lapsi' (a sweet porridge made of wheat grains), rice, lentils, vegetables of spring beans and pumpkin. The rituals are also a way of expressing gratitude to the previous generations and seeking their blessings. In Hinduism, 'Pitru Paksha' is considered an inauspicious time to start new ventures or buy anything new, given the death rites performed during the ceremony known as 'Sharad'. 'Pitra Paksha' is followed by the start of 'Navratri' or nine nights - a nine-day-long festival dedicated to the as many incarnations of Hindu goddess Durga.

Hindus across India pay homage to departed as 'fortnight of ancestors' ends

The Louvre and Orsay&nbsp;museums&nbsp;in&nbsp;Paris&nbsp;moved&nbsp;art&nbsp;works&nbsp;stored underground to safety on Friday as the swollen river Seine kept rising, the city&#39;s deputy mayor said, following days of torrential rains that have killed two people.

Floodwaters&nbsp;have forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes and dozens of schools have closed south of&nbsp;Paris. Earlier this week the army was also called in to rescue stranded motorists on a major highway.

&quot;For the&nbsp;museums, even if fortunately there isn&#39;t any&nbsp;flooding of storerooms as of today, there is an automatic process above 5.50 metres to&nbsp;move&nbsp;works&nbsp;in the deepest storerooms higher,&quot; Bruno Julliard,&nbsp;Paris&#39; deputy mayor, told France Inter radio.

The Louvre and the Musee d&#39;Orsay are both home to world-renowned&nbsp;art&nbsp;collections.

Julliard said the&nbsp;works&nbsp;in the&nbsp;museums, which overlook the Seine, were not at risk as of early Friday. Some low lying roads running along the river are underwater and one underground commuter line has been closed.

Officials forecast the Seine could peak at 6 metres in central&nbsp;Paris&nbsp;on Friday, stressing this is still well below the level where it would threaten residents and businesses.

The river reached a record high of 8.6 metres in 1910, when thousands of&nbsp;Parisians had to flee flooded low-lying areas of the city.

Environment minister Segolene Royal told France 2 television on Friday that the&nbsp;floods may take several weeks to subside.

&quot;What&#39;s going to be even more painful for the families who have lost their homes, the heads of companies who have lost their businesses, the employees who will be unable to go to work, is that the drop in the water level will be very slow,&quot; Royal&nbsp;said.

The retreating&nbsp;waters&nbsp;could reveal further victims, she&nbsp;added.

In Evry-Gregy-sur-Yerre, south of&nbsp;Paris, a man on horseback drowned on Thursday, becoming the second fatality. Le&nbsp;Parisien newspaper said the 74-year-old had been trying to cross a flooded field.

The Louvre and Orsay?museums?in?Paris moved?art?works to safety on Friday as the river Seine kept rising. Thousands of people have evacuated their homes and dozens of schools closed down.

The Louvre and Orsay museums in Paris moved art works stored underground to safety on Friday as the swollen river Seine kept rising, the city's deputy mayor said, following days of torrential rains that have killed two people. Floodwaters have forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes and dozens of schools have closed south of Paris. Earlier this week the army was also called in to rescue stranded motorists on a major highway. "For the museums, even if fortunately there isn't any flooding of storerooms as of today, there is an automatic process above 5.50 metres to move works in the deepest storerooms higher," Bruno Julliard, Paris' deputy mayor, told France Inter radio. The Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay are both home to world-renowned art collections. Julliard said the works in the museums, which overlook the Seine, were not at risk as of early Friday. Some low lying roads running along the river are underwater and one underground commuter line has been closed. Officials forecast the Seine could peak at 6 metres in central Paris on Friday, stressing this is still well below the level where it would threaten residents and businesses. The river reached a record high of 8.6 metres in 1910, when thousands of Parisians had to flee flooded low-lying areas of the city. Environment minister Segolene Royal told France 2 television on Friday that the floods may take several weeks to subside. "What's going to be even more painful for the families who have lost their homes, the heads of companies who have lost their businesses, the employees who will be unable to go to work, is that the drop in the water level will be very slow," Royal said. The retreating waters could reveal further victims, she added. In Evry-Gregy-sur-Yerre, south of Paris, a man on horseback drowned on Thursday, becoming the second fatality. Le Parisien newspaper said the 74-year-old had been trying to cross a flooded field.

Paris museums move art works as flood waters rise

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