A recent study found that more than half of the world’s lakes and reservoirs have shrunk in the past three decades. Researchers quoted climate crises and human consumption as the main reason behind the decline in water lines.&nbsp;

The study also found that the recent reduction in the water lines has also increased concerns about water supply for agriculture, hydropower and human consumption.&nbsp;

<h2>World’s most important fresh water sources see a reduction in their water lines: Study</h2>

A team of international researchers led by Fangfang Yao, a surface hydrologist at the University of Virginia concluded that nearly 56 per cent of the decline in the water lines of lakes and reservoirs could be attributed to global warming and human consumption.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/southern-europe-turning-into-desert-france-italy-and-spain-to-face-brutal-summer-of-drought-593212">Southern Europe 'turning into desert', France, Italy and Spain to face brutal summer of drought</a>

Using satellite imagery, climate models and hydrologic models, Yao further stated that more than 50% of both large natural lakes and reservoirs experienced volume loss since the 1990s.&nbsp;

The report also reported that some of the world’s most important freshwater sources, starting from the Caspian Sea to South America’s Lake Titicaca have lost water at a rate of around 22 giga tonnes a year for a duration of three years. This is equivalent to the total water usage in the US in the year 2015.&nbsp;

<h2>Present trends in arid and humid regions</h2>

Yao’s study found that even though climate scientists believe that the world’s arid areas will become drier and wet areas will get wetter under climate change, there is still a possibility of significant water loss even in humid regions.

The study also found that in arid regions, roughly one-quarter of the significant water losses in natural lakes were dominated by changes in temperature or human activities, and another 37 per cent of the water losses were primarily attributable to reduced natural flows. Even water storage has declined in more than two-thirds of reservoirs in arid regions.

<h2>“This should not be overlooked” – Yao</h2>

The unsustainable human use clubbed with rising temperatures has dried up several lakes, such as the Aral Sea in Central Asia and the Dead Sea in the Middle East. Many of these drying lakes are important sources of water and energy (hydropower). &nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;UN Water Conference 2023: UN seeks solution to global water crisis | WION Climate Tracker

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If the current trend follows, nearly 2 billion people from around the globe are likely to be directly affected and many regions might also face severe water shortages in the coming years. Scientists have for long maintained that global heating cannot exceed 1.5 degrees celsius (2.7 degrees fahrenheit), if we are to avoid the most catastrophic consequences of climate change. Presently, the world is warming at a 1.1C (1.9F) rate.

The study which assessed more than 2,000 large lakes using satellite imagery, climate and hydrological models has opened the floor for discussions over unsustainable water usage, with experts commenting “if a good chunk of freshwater lakes are drying, then you’re going to see the impact come to you one way or the other, if not now in the not too distant future" – Rajagopalan, Professor at the University of Colorado Boulder.&nbsp;

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A recent study found that more than half of the world’s lakes and reservoirs have shrunk in the past three decades. Researchers quoted climate crises and human consumption as the main reason behind the decline in water lines.

A recent study found that more than half of the world’s lakes and reservoirs have shrunk in the past three decades. Researchers quoted climate crises and human consumption as the main reason behind the decline in water lines. The study also found that the recent reduction in the water lines has also increased concerns about water supply for agriculture, hydropower and human consumption. World’s most important fresh water sources see a reduction in their water lines: Study A team of international researchers led by Fangfang Yao, a surface hydrologist at the University of Virginia concluded that nearly 56 per cent of the decline in the water lines of lakes and reservoirs could be attributed to global warming and human consumption. ALSO READ | Southern Europe 'turning into desert', France, Italy and Spain to face brutal summer of drought Using satellite imagery, climate models and hydrologic models, Yao further stated that more than 50% of both large natural lakes and reservoirs experienced volume loss since the 1990s. The report also reported that some of the world’s most important freshwater sources, starting from the Caspian Sea to South America’s Lake Titicaca have lost water at a rate of around 22 giga tonnes a year for a duration of three years. This is equivalent to the total water usage in the US in the year 2015. Present trends in arid and humid regions Yao’s study found that even though climate scientists believe that the world’s arid areas will become drier and wet areas will get wetter under climate change, there is still a possibility of significant water loss even in humid regions. The study also found that in arid regions, roughly one-quarter of the significant water losses in natural lakes were dominated by changes in temperature or human activities, and another 37 per cent of the water losses were primarily attributable to reduced natural flows. Even water storage has declined in more than two-thirds of reservoirs in arid regions. “This should not be overlooked” – Yao The unsustainable human use clubbed with rising temperatures has dried up several lakes, such as the Aral Sea in Central Asia and the Dead Sea in the Middle East. Many of these drying lakes are important sources of water and energy (hydropower). WATCH | UN Water Conference 2023: UN seeks solution to global water crisis | WION Climate Tracker × If the current trend follows, nearly 2 billion people from around the globe are likely to be directly affected and many regions might also face severe water shortages in the coming years. Scientists have for long maintained that global heating cannot exceed 1.5 degrees celsius (2.7 degrees fahrenheit), if we are to avoid the most catastrophic consequences of climate change. Presently, the world is warming at a 1.1C (1.9F) rate. The study which assessed more than 2,000 large lakes using satellite imagery, climate and hydrological models has opened the floor for discussions over unsustainable water usage, with experts commenting “if a good chunk of freshwater lakes are drying, then you’re going to see the impact come to you one way or the other, if not now in the not too distant future" – Rajagopalan, Professor at the University of Colorado Boulder. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Half of world's lakes and reservoirs are drying up : Study

Human civilisation has had a history of thousands of years. The human race started simply and gradually made its way to where we are now. We often find wonders of the past and they are always amazing. The meticulous work of experts in unearthing the wonders pays off and we always get something to marvel at.

This has happened again and archaeologists have unearthed remains of a 7000-year-old man-made road. The road is now submerged under water. The discovery was made on the coast of southern Croatia. The road has been found at the ancient Neolithic site of Soline. The site may have links with ancient Hvar culture.&nbsp;

The site at Soline itself was discovered in 2021 by Mate Parica of the University of Zadar in Croatia. Parica found the site while he was analysing satellite images of the area submerged underwater around Korcula. When Parica and his colleagues dove into the water to investigate further, they found a stone wall that was 4 to 5 metres underwater.

"The fortunate thing is that this area, unlike most parts of the Mediterranean, is safe from big waves as many islands protect the coast," Parica told Reuters in 2021. "That certainly helped preserve the site from natural destruction."

The prehistoric road that was newly discovered was protected from powerful waves thanks to these islands.

The road is about 4 metres wide. It was constructed of carefully stacked stone slabs. Presently, the road is covered in a thick layer of mud.

Researchers think that people from the Neolithic Hvar culture, who inhabited areas in and around the eastern Adriatic Sea, built the settlement and the road. The entire settlement has been found to date back approximately to 4,900 BCE.

"People walked on this [road] almost 7,000 years ago," the University of Zadar said in a Facebook statement.

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Human civilisation has had a history of thousands of years. The human race started simply and gradually made its way to where we are now. We often find wonders of the past and they are always amazing.

Human civilisation has had a history of thousands of years. The human race started simply and gradually made its way to where we are now. We often find wonders of the past and they are always amazing. The meticulous work of experts in unearthing the wonders pays off and we always get something to marvel at. This has happened again and archaeologists have unearthed remains of a 7000-year-old man-made road. The road is now submerged under water. The discovery was made on the coast of southern Croatia. The road has been found at the ancient Neolithic site of Soline. The site may have links with ancient Hvar culture. The site at Soline itself was discovered in 2021 by Mate Parica of the University of Zadar in Croatia. Parica found the site while he was analysing satellite images of the area submerged underwater around Korcula. When Parica and his colleagues dove into the water to investigate further, they found a stone wall that was 4 to 5 metres underwater. "The fortunate thing is that this area, unlike most parts of the Mediterranean, is safe from big waves as many islands protect the coast," Parica told Reuters in 2021. "That certainly helped preserve the site from natural destruction." The prehistoric road that was newly discovered was protected from powerful waves thanks to these islands. The road is about 4 metres wide. It was constructed of carefully stacked stone slabs. Presently, the road is covered in a thick layer of mud. Researchers think that people from the Neolithic Hvar culture, who inhabited areas in and around the eastern Adriatic Sea, built the settlement and the road. The entire settlement has been found to date back approximately to 4,900 BCE. "People walked on this [road] almost 7,000 years ago," the University of Zadar said in a Facebook statement. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Archaeologists find 7,000-year-old road submerged under water

Leading chemist calls on the Japanese government to consider other safer options to treat nuclear-contaminated water.

Expert urges safer plan for contaminated water

China's Zhurong rover has, for the first time, found traces of recent water activity on Mars, indicating that the Red Planet has a few areas where conditions are suitable for life to exist.

According to Chinese scientists, the rover, which landed on the Red Planet in 2021, detected evidence of liquid water on sand dunes at low latitudes, i.e., towards the equator and away from its poles.

Scientists have for long believed that Mars once had an earth-like climate and an ocean flowing across its surface about three billion years ago, very different from the present dry and barren surface.

What has perplexed them, however, is where all this water went, with scientists believing most of it likely became trapped in the planet's outer layer, or crust.

Till now, no evidence had been provided to show the presence of liquid water at low latitudes on Mars.&nbsp;

But Friday’s discovery is a major breakthrough for understanding the evolutionary history of Mars as it provides future possible clues for extra-terrestrial life.

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The scientists, however, pointed out that the rover did not directly detect any water in the form of frost or ice, rather it observed salt-rich dunes with cracks and crusts.

They said that since temperatures on Mars oscillate wildly and spike in the mornings between 5 am and 6 am, the saltwater evaporated and left behind salt and other newly formed minerals that later seeped between the dune's sand grains, cementing them to form a crust.

“This is important for understanding the evolutionary history of the Martian climate, looking for a habitable environment, and providing key clues for the future search for life,” said Professor QIN Xiaoguang, of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), who led the research.

He and his team used data obtained by the Zhurong rover's Navigation and Terrain Camera (NaTeCam), Multispectral Camera (MSCam), and its Mars Surface Composition Detector (MarSCoDe).

Their study revealed that the surface layer of the dune was rich in hydrated sulfates, hydrated silica, iron oxide minerals and possibly chlorides.

“According to the measured meteorological data by Zhurong and other Mars rovers, we inferred that these dune surface characteristics were related to the involvement of liquid saline water formed by the subsequent melting of frost/snow falling on the salt-containing dune surfaces when cooling occurs,' said Professor QIN.

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China's Zhurong rover has, for the first time, found traces of recent water activity on Mars, indicating that the Red Planet has a few areas where conditions are suitable for life to exist.

China's Zhurong rover has, for the first time, found traces of recent water activity on Mars, indicating that the Red Planet has a few areas where conditions are suitable for life to exist. According to Chinese scientists, the rover, which landed on the Red Planet in 2021, detected evidence of liquid water on sand dunes at low latitudes, i.e., towards the equator and away from its poles. Scientists have for long believed that Mars once had an earth-like climate and an ocean flowing across its surface about three billion years ago, very different from the present dry and barren surface. What has perplexed them, however, is where all this water went, with scientists believing most of it likely became trapped in the planet's outer layer, or crust. Till now, no evidence had been provided to show the presence of liquid water at low latitudes on Mars. But Friday’s discovery is a major breakthrough for understanding the evolutionary history of Mars as it provides future possible clues for extra-terrestrial life. The scientists, however, pointed out that the rover did not directly detect any water in the form of frost or ice, rather it observed salt-rich dunes with cracks and crusts. They said that since temperatures on Mars oscillate wildly and spike in the mornings between 5 am and 6 am, the saltwater evaporated and left behind salt and other newly formed minerals that later seeped between the dune's sand grains, cementing them to form a crust. “This is important for understanding the evolutionary history of the Martian climate, looking for a habitable environment, and providing key clues for the future search for life,” said Professor QIN Xiaoguang, of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), who led the research. He and his team used data obtained by the Zhurong rover's Navigation and Terrain Camera (NaTeCam), Multispectral Camera (MSCam), and its Mars Surface Composition Detector (MarSCoDe). Their study revealed that the surface layer of the dune was rich in hydrated sulfates, hydrated silica, iron oxide minerals and possibly chlorides. “According to the measured meteorological data by Zhurong and other Mars rovers, we inferred that these dune surface characteristics were related to the involvement of liquid saline water formed by the subsequent melting of frost/snow falling on the salt-containing dune surfaces when cooling occurs,' said Professor QIN. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Chinese rover finds traces of recent water activity on Mars

'Aqua-phobia' is the fear of water. Many people develop this anxiety when they are about to take a dip or swim, but some grannies in South Africa's Soweto are redefining this phobia. In their 60s and above they have found a new hobby to help calm them down and stay fit. Here's their story of grit and endurance.

The grannies swim club of Soweto | World Of Africa

Manganese (Mn) is a common metal found in soil and it can be leached into the groundwater. A research was recently conducted to find out about the levels of this chemical element in California’s Central Valley, a region recognised as one of the most productive and economically important agricultural regions in the United States and currently home to one-third of domestic well users in the state.&nbsp;

According to this research by UC Riverside, the Central Valley's private, untreated well water systems had the highest manganese amounts. The researchers found it in public water systems, but at amounts that were greater than those that have been linked to harmful health impacts in previous studies.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chatgpt-can-propel-four-day-work-week-heres-what-nobel-prize-winning-economist-says-579621">ChatGPT can propel four-day work-week? Here's what Nobel Prize-winning economist says</a>

As per the study, over 1.3 million Californians may be drinking tap water with high levels of this chemical element.&nbsp;In the Central Valley of California, the water is sufficiently high in manganese to impair children's cognitive function and motor coordination and to give adults Parkinson-like symptoms, as per reports citing the study.&nbsp;

Previous studies show that school-aged children consuming drinking water with naturally elevated concentrations of manganese have demonstrated lower academic achievement scores as well as poor memory attention, and increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).&nbsp;

Despite these studies, the research paper says that US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains a secondary contaminant status for manganese on the basis of adult cohort studies that did not observe neurotoxic endpoints.&nbsp;

In several Southeast Asian nations, manganese is controlled as a primary contaminant. Nevertheless, it is only treated as a secondary contaminant in terms of regulation in the US. It means there is no set maximum limit for it.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-says-us-south-korea-drills-driving-tensions-in-korean-peninsula-to-brink-of-nuclear-war-579606">North Korea says US-South Korea drills driving tensions in Korean Peninsula to 'brink of nuclear war'</a>

It said that some recent studies show that a disproportionate amount of domestic well-dependent communities in California are underprivileged populations that probably experience financial difficulties in groundwater testing and treatment. A growing body of evidence suggests that manganese concentrations previously considered safe may pose significant health threats to vulnerable populations such as children, the research noted.&nbsp;

"It is a relatively small number of people, compared to the total population of the state, who are getting the tainted water. But for them, the health risks are high," said Samantha Ying, UCR soil scientist and principal study investigator. "These people are particularly concentrated in disadvantaged communities, so if they wanted to monitor and treat the water, they would have a hard time doing so," Ying said.

Watch | Gravitas: Is India emerging as a space leader?

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Even though there are options for point-of-use treatment, include water softeners, chlorination, reverse osmosis systems, etc. Yet, the expense of water quality monitoring equipment and the cost of treating manganese infused water are both up to $400 per year.

"It is possible to purchase filters for manganese, but a lot of people cannot afford them. We are hoping people in these communities can be subsidised to buy treatment options," Ying said.

It stated that community water system users may have access to municipal monitoring and treatment, but out-of-pocket costs for domestic well communities may be a considerable financial burden, particularly for those below the poverty line.

"Using existing groundwater model predictions of manganese concentrations at deeper depths did not change the number of wells likely to be contaminated," Ying said.

The study suggests that legislative changes to primary contaminant regulation may have co-benefits upon secondary contaminant remediation. As per the study, it has been reported that a decrease in arsenic concentrations was correlated with the implementation of stricter regulation of As.&nbsp;

Arsenic has long been regulated as a primary contaminant in the US and "wells are labeled unsafe if they contain arsenic, but not if they contain manganese," Ying said. "Thus, the number of wells considered safe may be greatly overestimated."

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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Manganese (Mn) is a common metal found in soil and it can be leached into the groundwater. A research was recently conducted to find out about the levels of this chemical element in California’s Central Valley, a region recognised as one of the most productive and economically important agricultural regions in the United States and currently home to one-third of domestic well users in the state.

Manganese (Mn) is a common metal found in soil and it can be leached into the groundwater. A research was recently conducted to find out about the levels of this chemical element in California’s Central Valley, a region recognised as one of the most productive and economically important agricultural regions in the United States and currently home to one-third of domestic well users in the state. According to this research by UC Riverside, the Central Valley's private, untreated well water systems had the highest manganese amounts. The researchers found it in public water systems, but at amounts that were greater than those that have been linked to harmful health impacts in previous studies. Also Read | ChatGPT can propel four-day work-week? Here's what Nobel Prize-winning economist says As per the study, over 1.3 million Californians may be drinking tap water with high levels of this chemical element. In the Central Valley of California, the water is sufficiently high in manganese to impair children's cognitive function and motor coordination and to give adults Parkinson-like symptoms, as per reports citing the study. Previous studies show that school-aged children consuming drinking water with naturally elevated concentrations of manganese have demonstrated lower academic achievement scores as well as poor memory attention, and increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Despite these studies, the research paper says that US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains a secondary contaminant status for manganese on the basis of adult cohort studies that did not observe neurotoxic endpoints. In several Southeast Asian nations, manganese is controlled as a primary contaminant. Nevertheless, it is only treated as a secondary contaminant in terms of regulation in the US. It means there is no set maximum limit for it. Also Read | North Korea says US-South Korea drills driving tensions in Korean Peninsula to 'brink of nuclear war' It said that some recent studies show that a disproportionate amount of domestic well-dependent communities in California are underprivileged populations that probably experience financial difficulties in groundwater testing and treatment. A growing body of evidence suggests that manganese concentrations previously considered safe may pose significant health threats to vulnerable populations such as children, the research noted. "It is a relatively small number of people, compared to the total population of the state, who are getting the tainted water. But for them, the health risks are high," said Samantha Ying, UCR soil scientist and principal study investigator. "These people are particularly concentrated in disadvantaged communities, so if they wanted to monitor and treat the water, they would have a hard time doing so," Ying said. Watch | Gravitas: Is India emerging as a space leader? × Even though there are options for point-of-use treatment, include water softeners, chlorination, reverse osmosis systems, etc. Yet, the expense of water quality monitoring equipment and the cost of treating manganese infused water are both up to $400 per year. "It is possible to purchase filters for manganese, but a lot of people cannot afford them. We are hoping people in these communities can be subsidised to buy treatment options," Ying said. It stated that community water system users may have access to municipal monitoring and treatment, but out-of-pocket costs for domestic well communities may be a considerable financial burden, particularly for those below the poverty line. "Using existing groundwater model predictions of manganese concentrations at deeper depths did not change the number of wells likely to be contaminated," Ying said. The study suggests that legislative changes to primary contaminant regulation may have co-benefits upon secondary contaminant remediation. As per the study, it has been reported that a decrease in arsenic concentrations was correlated with the implementation of stricter regulation of As. Arsenic has long been regulated as a primary contaminant in the US and "wells are labeled unsafe if they contain arsenic, but not if they contain manganese," Ying said. "Thus, the number of wells considered safe may be greatly overestimated." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Over 1.3mn Californians may be drinking water that can trigger cognitive issues, Parkinson-like symptoms

It was only a few years back that Cape Town, South Africa, was headed towards what local officials labelled as “Day Zero” for drinking water, in an area that has 97 per cent salt water. The crisis would have appeared analogous to the helpless situation described by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in his poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner - “Water, water, everywhere, and not&nbsp;a&nbsp;drop to drink”. Even though the city survived the scare with the help of its contingency plan, the threat of “Day Zero” still looms not only over Cape Town but many regions and cities across South Africa.

Numerous discussions and debates have been held on how important is water for human survival and that it is the quintessential element needed for life on planet Earth. Today to find signs of life on other planets, scientists look out for water, as its mere existence increases the chances of finding alien life. However, as the world, which has only 2 per cent frozen freshwater and 1 per cent liquid freshwater, battles water scarcity, it is high time we must ask ourselves where are we headed.

<h2>Survive or perish – the question that the past holds for us</h2>

Open a tap and water gushes out – availability of water has been made so easy that we take it for granted, in most parts of the human-inhabited world. It is this casual availability of water which blinds us from seeing the depleting groundwater levels, soil compression due to which Mexico City is reportedly sinking, and rain and snow failing to fill in surface water like lakes and rivers we rely on.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-un-report-sounds-alarm-bells-over-lack-of-clean-drinking-water-574712">IN PICS | UN report sounds alarm bells over lack of clean drinking water</a>

It also makes us forget the quest for water, which has been one of the defining struggles etched in human history. Past always holds lessons for the future to learn and save humanity from the calamity which may befall us someday. With respect to the water crisis, we must remember how many strong and established civilisations perished due to drought and water scarcity. Civilisations which were successful in harnessing water thrived and those that failed disappeared in the dust of time.

One of the greatest civilisations of all time, the Mayan civilisation, despite surviving 100 years of drought with the help of its rainwater collection systems and rivers, finally collapsed. The great Akkadian Empire also met with a similar fate due to the arid conditions.&nbsp;

<h2>What lies ahead?</h2>

According to the United Nations, around five billion people are likely to face water shortages by 2050 as freshwater sources continue to drain faster. Out of 37 major aquifers in the world, 21 are receding in the United States, India, France and China. With an increase in population and irrigation demands, India's mighty river, the Ganges is depleting every year by an estimated 6.31cm.

With the water table dropping all over the world, countries receiving irregular rainfall and global warming disturbing the ecosystem, the world doesn't seem a happier place. The realities can turn even harsher compared to the crisis the world is witnessing at the present. The earth is parched, dying with receding water levels as scientists scramble to find water on the moon in their quest to make the satellite a habitable place. The time calls for adaptation of better saves to save water and save the earth.

WATCH | WION Climate Tracker: A clean water crisis!

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<h2>A sobering warning</h2>

In a report published on Wednesday, the United Nations (UN) warned that the 'vampiric' overconsumption of water by humans is putting the resource at risk. According to the report, about 10 per cent of the "world's population lives in a country where water stress has reached a high or critical level".

The report further warned that "scarcity is becoming endemic" because of pollution and overconsumption. It added that seasonal water shortages will be further increased in areas with strained as well as abundant water. In the report's foreword, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that the world is "blindly travelling a dangerous path" as "unsustainable water use, pollution and unchecked global warming are draining humanity's lifeblood”.

"If nothing is done, it will be a business-as-usual scenario — it will keep on being between 40 per cent and 50 per cent of the population of the world that does not have access to sanitation and roughly 20-25 per cent of the world will not have access to safe water supply," Richard Connor, lead author of the report, said.

This, if nothing, sounds like a warning bell for the world to wake up and recognise the calamity that stands ahead of us.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

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It was only a few years back that Cape Town, South Africa, was headed towards what local officials labelled as “Day Zero” for drinking water, in an area that has 97 per cent salt water.

It was only a few years back that Cape Town, South Africa, was headed towards what local officials labelled as “Day Zero” for drinking water, in an area that has 97 per cent salt water. The crisis would have appeared analogous to the helpless situation described by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in his poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner - “Water, water, everywhere, and not a drop to drink”. Even though the city survived the scare with the help of its contingency plan, the threat of “Day Zero” still looms not only over Cape Town but many regions and cities across South Africa. Numerous discussions and debates have been held on how important is water for human survival and that it is the quintessential element needed for life on planet Earth. Today to find signs of life on other planets, scientists look out for water, as its mere existence increases the chances of finding alien life. However, as the world, which has only 2 per cent frozen freshwater and 1 per cent liquid freshwater, battles water scarcity, it is high time we must ask ourselves where are we headed. Survive or perish – the question that the past holds for us Open a tap and water gushes out – availability of water has been made so easy that we take it for granted, in most parts of the human-inhabited world. It is this casual availability of water which blinds us from seeing the depleting groundwater levels, soil compression due to which Mexico City is reportedly sinking, and rain and snow failing to fill in surface water like lakes and rivers we rely on. ALSO READ | IN PICS | UN report sounds alarm bells over lack of clean drinking water It also makes us forget the quest for water, which has been one of the defining struggles etched in human history. Past always holds lessons for the future to learn and save humanity from the calamity which may befall us someday. With respect to the water crisis, we must remember how many strong and established civilisations perished due to drought and water scarcity. Civilisations which were successful in harnessing water thrived and those that failed disappeared in the dust of time. One of the greatest civilisations of all time, the Mayan civilisation, despite surviving 100 years of drought with the help of its rainwater collection systems and rivers, finally collapsed. The great Akkadian Empire also met with a similar fate due to the arid conditions. What lies ahead? According to the United Nations, around five billion people are likely to face water shortages by 2050 as freshwater sources continue to drain faster. Out of 37 major aquifers in the world, 21 are receding in the United States, India, France and China. With an increase in population and irrigation demands, India's mighty river, the Ganges is depleting every year by an estimated 6.31cm. With the water table dropping all over the world, countries receiving irregular rainfall and global warming disturbing the ecosystem, the world doesn't seem a happier place. The realities can turn even harsher compared to the crisis the world is witnessing at the present. The earth is parched, dying with receding water levels as scientists scramble to find water on the moon in their quest to make the satellite a habitable place. The time calls for adaptation of better saves to save water and save the earth. WATCH | WION Climate Tracker: A clean water crisis! A sobering warning In a report published on Wednesday, the United Nations (UN) warned that the 'vampiric' overconsumption of water by humans is putting the resource at risk. According to the report, about 10 per cent of the "world's population lives in a country where water stress has reached a high or critical level". The report further warned that "scarcity is becoming endemic" because of pollution and overconsumption. It added that seasonal water shortages will be further increased in areas with strained as well as abundant water. In the report's foreword, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that the world is "blindly travelling a dangerous path" as "unsustainable water use, pollution and unchecked global warming are draining humanity's lifeblood”. "If nothing is done, it will be a business-as-usual scenario — it will keep on being between 40 per cent and 50 per cent of the population of the world that does not have access to sanitation and roughly 20-25 per cent of the world will not have access to safe water supply," Richard Connor, lead author of the report, said. This, if nothing, sounds like a warning bell for the world to wake up and recognise the calamity that stands ahead of us. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

World Water Day 2023: Parched! The drying future of water

World Water Day 2023: World Water Day is observed annually worldwide on March 22 to highlight the importance of fresh water on our planet Earth. This day is backed by the United Nations (UN) to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. Every year the day is observed with a particular theme that is relevant to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). The WASH initiative is also in line with the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 6 as established by the UN. Around this day, the UN World Water Development Report is also released every year, which provides an authoritative and comprehensive assessment of the world’s freshwater resources.&nbsp;

<h2>World Water Day 2023: Significance&nbsp;</h2>

UN-Water, an interagency mechanism that coordinates with the UN, is the convener for World Water Day and is responsible for selecting the theme every year. Last year, the theme was ‘Valuing Water’ and a public campaign was launched to invite people to join a global conversation on social media sharing their stories related to water. Take a look at some of the previous year’s themes:

2020: Water and Climate Change&nbsp;

2019: Leaving no one Behind

2018: &nbsp;Nature for Water&nbsp;

2017: Why waste water?

Apart from starting conversations around freshwater and its availability around the world, the day also includes campaigns to raise money for water projects. The first World Water Day was celebrated in 1993. The intention was to inspire people around the world and create awareness among the masses about water-related issues. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an additional focus on hand washing and hygiene.&nbsp;

Other relevant issues like water scarcity, water pollution, inadequate water supply, lack of sanitation, and the impacts of climate change on water resources are also moot points.&nbsp;

<h2>World Water Day 2023: Theme</h2>

The theme for this year’s World Water Day is ‘Accelerating the change to solve the water and sanitation crises’ with an emphasis on the necessity of taking stern action to address the global water crises. The UN said, “Billions of people and countless schools, businesses, healthcare centres, farms and factories don’t have the safe water and toilets they need.

There is an urgent need to accelerate change – to go beyond business as usual".&nbsp;The UN is also kickstarting the UN 2023 Water Conference- the first event of its kind for nearly 50- to unite the world around water from March 22-24 in New York, United States.

<h2>World Water Day 2023: Slogans and quotes</h2>

1.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;‘Water is the driving force of all nature’- Leonardo da Vinci

2.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;‘The earth, the air, the land, and the water are not an inheritance from our forefathers but on loan from our children. So, we have to handover to them at least as it was handed over to us.’- Mahatma Gandhi

3.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;‘When the well is dry, we learn the worth of water'- Benjamin Franklin

4.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;‘Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it’- Lao Tzu

5.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;‘In one drop of water are found all the secrets of all the oceans’- Khalil Gibran

6.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;‘Thousands have lived without love, not one without water’- W.H. Auden

7.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;‘We forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one’- Jacques Yves Cousteau

8.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;‘If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water’- Loren Eiseley

9.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;‘No water, no life. No blue, no green’- Sylvia Earle

10.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;‘ A drop of water, if it could write out its own history, would explain the universe to us’- Lucy Larcom

<h2>World Water Day 2023: Some facts related to water&nbsp;</h2>

1.&nbsp;&nbsp;96.5 per cent of the water on Earth is in our oceans, which cover 71 per cent of the surface of our planet.

2.&nbsp;&nbsp;Out of all the water present on Earth, only 3.5 per cent of water is fresh and fresh water is not present in our lakes, rivers, and streams but in ice and glaciers!

3. Millions of bacteria and viruses can live in only a single drop of water. A drop of water can even have fish eggs, baby crabs, plankton, or even small worms.

4.&nbsp; Comets that we see up in the sky are mostly made up of water and ice.&nbsp;

5.&nbsp;&nbsp;A newborn baby is 78 per cent water. Adults are 55-60 per cent water. It is also a big part of the blood that helps in bringing nutrients to all our body cells.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

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World Water Day 2023: World Water Day is observed annually worldwide on March 22 to highlight the importance of fresh water on our planet Earth. This day is backed by the United Nations (UN) to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

World Water Day 2023: World Water Day is observed annually worldwide on March 22 to highlight the importance of fresh water on our planet Earth. This day is backed by the United Nations (UN) to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. Every year the day is observed with a particular theme that is relevant to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). The WASH initiative is also in line with the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 6 as established by the UN. Around this day, the UN World Water Development Report is also released every year, which provides an authoritative and comprehensive assessment of the world’s freshwater resources. World Water Day 2023: Significance UN-Water, an interagency mechanism that coordinates with the UN, is the convener for World Water Day and is responsible for selecting the theme every year. Last year, the theme was ‘Valuing Water’ and a public campaign was launched to invite people to join a global conversation on social media sharing their stories related to water. Take a look at some of the previous year’s themes: 2020: Water and Climate Change 2019: Leaving no one Behind 2018: Nature for Water 2017: Why waste water? Apart from starting conversations around freshwater and its availability around the world, the day also includes campaigns to raise money for water projects. The first World Water Day was celebrated in 1993. The intention was to inspire people around the world and create awareness among the masses about water-related issues. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an additional focus on hand washing and hygiene. Other relevant issues like water scarcity, water pollution, inadequate water supply, lack of sanitation, and the impacts of climate change on water resources are also moot points. World Water Day 2023: Theme The theme for this year’s World Water Day is ‘Accelerating the change to solve the water and sanitation crises’ with an emphasis on the necessity of taking stern action to address the global water crises. The UN said, “Billions of people and countless schools, businesses, healthcare centres, farms and factories don’t have the safe water and toilets they need. There is an urgent need to accelerate change – to go beyond business as usual". The UN is also kickstarting the UN 2023 Water Conference- the first event of its kind for nearly 50- to unite the world around water from March 22-24 in New York, United States. World Water Day 2023: Slogans and quotes 1. ‘Water is the driving force of all nature’- Leonardo da Vinci 2. ‘The earth, the air, the land, and the water are not an inheritance from our forefathers but on loan from our children. So, we have to handover to them at least as it was handed over to us.’- Mahatma Gandhi 3. ‘When the well is dry, we learn the worth of water'- Benjamin Franklin 4. ‘Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it’- Lao Tzu 5. ‘In one drop of water are found all the secrets of all the oceans’- Khalil Gibran 6. ‘Thousands have lived without love, not one without water’- W.H. Auden 7. ‘We forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one’- Jacques Yves Cousteau 8. ‘If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water’- Loren Eiseley 9. ‘No water, no life. No blue, no green’- Sylvia Earle 10. ‘ A drop of water, if it could write out its own history, would explain the universe to us’- Lucy Larcom World Water Day 2023: Some facts related to water 1. 96.5 per cent of the water on Earth is in our oceans, which cover 71 per cent of the surface of our planet. 2. Out of all the water present on Earth, only 3.5 per cent of water is fresh and fresh water is not present in our lakes, rivers, and streams but in ice and glaciers! 3. Millions of bacteria and viruses can live in only a single drop of water. A drop of water can even have fish eggs, baby crabs, plankton, or even small worms. 4. Comets that we see up in the sky are mostly made up of water and ice. 5. A newborn baby is 78 per cent water. Adults are 55-60 per cent water. It is also a big part of the blood that helps in bringing nutrients to all our body cells. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

World Water Day 2023: History, significance, slogans, theme, water facts and more

Humanity's 'vampiric' overconsumption of its 'lifeblood' — water — is increasingly putting the resource at risk, warns&nbsp;the United Nations (UN) in a report published on Wednesday. The report was released just hours ahead of a major summit dealing with the issue. As per the report, about 10 per cent of the "world's population lives in a country where water stress has reached a high or critical level."

The report, which was published by UN-Water and UNESCO, warns that "scarcity is becoming endemic" due to overconsumption and pollution. It adds that global warming will further increase seasonal water shortages in areas with abundant water as well as those already strained.

Watch |&nbsp;Global fresh water resources won't keep up with demand by 2030

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In the report's foreword, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as per AFP, writes that the world is "blindly travelling a dangerous path" as "unsustainable water use, pollution and unchecked global warming are draining humanity's lifeblood."

"If nothing is done, it will be a business-as-usual scenario — it will keep on being between 40 per cent and 50 per cent of the population of the world that does not have access to sanitation and roughly 20-25 per cent of the world will not have access to safe water supply," said Richard Connor, lead author of the report while talking to AFP.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/reusable-water-bottles-carry-40000-times-more-bacteria-than-a-toilet-seat-shows-study-571769">Reusable water bottles carry 40,000 TIMES more bacteria than a toilet seat, shows study</a>

He added that as the global population increases, "in absolute numbers, there'll be more and more people that don't have access to these services."

The UN 2023 Water Conference will host 6,500 guests from around the world, including a hundred ministers and a dozen heads of state and government. The conference will take place from Wednesday (March 22) to Friday (March 24) in New York.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/science/water-on-earth-may-be-older-than-the-sun-itself-study-570403" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/science/water-on-earth-may-be-older-than-the-sun-itself-study-570403&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjG77O2pO79AhX4S2wGHbxcAQM4PBAWegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1lgfu8brQ7i4GMc7p4Tk8i" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/water-on-earth-may-be-older-than-the-sun-itself-study-570403" target="_blank">Water&nbsp;on Earth may be older than the Sun itself: Study&nbsp;</a>

It invites governments and actors in the public and private sectors to present proposals for a 'water action agenda' that seeks to reverse the trend and help meet the development goal of ensuring "access to water and sanitation for all by 2030."

The UN 2023 Water Conference is the first summit on water in 50 years. Before this, the last high-level conference was held in 1977 in Mar del Plata, Argentina.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Humanity's 'vampiric' overconsumption of its 'lifeblood' — water — is increasingly putting the resource at risk, warns the United Nations (UN) in a report published on Wednesday.

Humanity's 'vampiric' overconsumption of its 'lifeblood' — water — is increasingly putting the resource at risk, warns the United Nations (UN) in a report published on Wednesday. The report was released just hours ahead of a major summit dealing with the issue. As per the report, about 10 per cent of the "world's population lives in a country where water stress has reached a high or critical level." The report, which was published by UN-Water and UNESCO, warns that "scarcity is becoming endemic" due to overconsumption and pollution. It adds that global warming will further increase seasonal water shortages in areas with abundant water as well as those already strained. Watch | Global fresh water resources won't keep up with demand by 2030 In the report's foreword, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as per AFP, writes that the world is "blindly travelling a dangerous path" as "unsustainable water use, pollution and unchecked global warming are draining humanity's lifeblood." "If nothing is done, it will be a business-as-usual scenario — it will keep on being between 40 per cent and 50 per cent of the population of the world that does not have access to sanitation and roughly 20-25 per cent of the world will not have access to safe water supply," said Richard Connor, lead author of the report while talking to AFP. Also read | Reusable water bottles carry 40,000 TIMES more bacteria than a toilet seat, shows study He added that as the global population increases, "in absolute numbers, there'll be more and more people that don't have access to these services." The UN 2023 Water Conference will host 6,500 guests from around the world, including a hundred ministers and a dozen heads of state and government. The conference will take place from Wednesday (March 22) to Friday (March 24) in New York. Also read | Water on Earth may be older than the Sun itself: Study It invites governments and actors in the public and private sectors to present proposals for a 'water action agenda' that seeks to reverse the trend and help meet the development goal of ensuring "access to water and sanitation for all by 2030." The UN 2023 Water Conference is the first summit on water in 50 years. Before this, the last high-level conference was held in 1977 in Mar del Plata, Argentina. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Report sounds alarm over humanity's 'vampiric' overconsumption of its 'lifeblood' water

Sun has formed planets in the solar system. Every ounce of material on Earth, including ourselves, are formed from the material that was once spinning aimlessly around it when the Sun was forming.&nbsp;

Given all this, it's natural for us to consider the Sun to be the starting point of everything as far as we are concerned. It is therefore intriguing to consider opinion of some scientists that some of the water on Earth may be older than the Sun.

The research team is from European South Observatory (ESO). The team made use of Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile to observe a planet forming disc around the star named V883 Orionis.

A star begins to form when large amount of dust and gas suddenly begins to collapse and forms a protostar. As the star formation progresses, the material around the protostar begins to revolve around it and over the course of millions of years, may form planets, asteroids and even comets which become part of the star system.

There are large amount of water molecules in this material in the planet-forming disc around the star.

The research team measured the chemical signature of the water content in this disc. This chemical signature gives us the idea where and when the water was formed.

For example, a chemical signature of the water found in a comet is similar to that on Earth, it may be said that comets could have delivered water to our planet.

“V883 Orionis is the missing link in this case. The composition of the water in the disc is very similar to that of comets in our own Solar System. This is confirmation of the idea that the water in planetary systems formed billions of years ago, before the Sun, in interstellar space, and has been inherited by both comets and Earth, relatively unchanged,” said John J. Tobin, an astronomer at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, USA and lead author of the study published in the journal Nature.

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Sun has formed planets in the solar system. Every ounce of material on Earth, including ourselves, are formed from the material that was once spinning aimlessly around it when the Sun was forming.

Sun has formed planets in the solar system. Every ounce of material on Earth, including ourselves, are formed from the material that was once spinning aimlessly around it when the Sun was forming. Given all this, it's natural for us to consider the Sun to be the starting point of everything as far as we are concerned. It is therefore intriguing to consider opinion of some scientists that some of the water on Earth may be older than the Sun. The research team is from European South Observatory (ESO). The team made use of Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile to observe a planet forming disc around the star named V883 Orionis. A star begins to form when large amount of dust and gas suddenly begins to collapse and forms a protostar. As the star formation progresses, the material around the protostar begins to revolve around it and over the course of millions of years, may form planets, asteroids and even comets which become part of the star system. There are large amount of water molecules in this material in the planet-forming disc around the star. The research team measured the chemical signature of the water content in this disc. This chemical signature gives us the idea where and when the water was formed. For example, a chemical signature of the water found in a comet is similar to that on Earth, it may be said that comets could have delivered water to our planet. “V883 Orionis is the missing link in this case. The composition of the water in the disc is very similar to that of comets in our own Solar System. This is confirmation of the idea that the water in planetary systems formed billions of years ago, before the Sun, in interstellar space, and has been inherited by both comets and Earth, relatively unchanged,” said John J. Tobin, an astronomer at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, USA and lead author of the study published in the journal Nature. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Water on Earth may be older than the Sun itself: Study

Venice has often been described as a beautiful oddity and rightfully so. The Italian city built on over 100 islands and crisscrossed by 177 canals and which was once at risk of drowning is now running dry. This has been attributed to weeks of dry winter weather while scientists and environmental groups have raised concerns that this could signal another drought in the European country after last summer’s emergency.&nbsp;

What is happening in Venice?

The Italian city, famous for its gondolas, has also been suffering alongside the country’s rivers and lakes which are also witnessing a severe lack of water. The problems in Venice have been attributed to a combination of factors ranging from a prolonged spell of low tides, lack of rain and a high-pressure system to even a full moon and sea currents.

Consequently, this has led to frustrated boat crews and worried officials as ambulances are unable to navigate through some of its narrower canals. This has become particularly problematic since the famous waterways serve as streets in car-less Venice.&nbsp;

According to a report by the Associated Press, ambulance boats, in certain areas of the city, had to be left tied up farther from their destination. This forced medical personnel to lift stretchers over long distances since their vessels cannot pass through canals reduced to a trickle of water and mud.&nbsp;

Last week, a series of images out of Venice showed pools of water collected in some canals and parked gondolas alongside exposed foundations of several buildings. This also meant that tourists could not navigate some secondary waterways in the Italian city. Notably, boats continued to work in some of the wider waterways across Venice which included the Grand and Giudecca canals.

A sustainable development analyst with the environmental advocacy group, We Are Here Venice, Jane Da Mosto has attributed this phenomenon in the Italian city to a combination of high atmospheric pressure with the lunar cycle producing an ultra-low water level during ebb tide, during mid-winter, reported AP. She also said how this phenomenon highlights the need for cleaning Venice’s inner canal network which is often overlooked.&nbsp;

“It's an absolutely normal phenomenon,” said Alvise Papa, the head of Venice’s tide forecasting centre to AFP, on Tuesday. He added, “Low tides are not enough to dry up the canals, but this year they are accompanied by high atmospheric pressure, which prevents bad weather”. Venice was expected to return to normalcy sometime this week.&nbsp;

Experts raise concern over Italy’s rivers and lakes&nbsp;

As Venice continues to grapple with the dire situation of its waterways, the rest of the country is not faring well either. In the past few days, scientists and experts, in the context of the situation of Venice’s canals have indicated that the country may face another drought. In a statement, on Monday, one of the largest environmental NGOs in Italy, the Legambiente said rivers and lakes, particularly in the north of the country are in “distress” due to the severe lack of water.&nbsp;

In this context, scientists have also referred to the Alps which received less than half of their normal snowfall. The aforementioned high-pressure system compounded by scarce Alpine snow melt this year has also contributed to the lack of water in lakes and rivers in northern Italy in the past few weeks.&nbsp;

The lack of snow this year has also been a concern since there was 53 per cent less in the Alps, particularly in the Po basin. Consequently, the Po, Italy’s longest river which runs from the Alps in the northwest to the Adriatic Sea also received 61 per cent less water than it typically does around this time of the year, said the environmental advocacy citing data from CIMA Research Foundation.&nbsp;

Notably, the aforementioned river accounts for roughly a third of the country's agricultural production. The statement also warned about the cascading effects of a prolonged drought in Italy which included, the lack of water for civil, agricultural and industrial uses that would, in turn, lead to loss of biodiversity, lower yields of crops, and disturb the balance of natural ecosystems.&nbsp;

This also comes as an anticyclone has been dominating the weather in western Europe for the past 15 days or so, which has led to an increase in the number of mild temperatures typically witnessed in late spring, as per Reuters. Additionally, the record low water levels in Lake Garda, in northern Italy, made it possible to reach the small island of San Biagio. Earlier this month, a small pathway which links the shore to the island re-emerged and visitors were able to walk across the middle of the lake.&nbsp;

“We are in a water deficit situation that has been building up since the winter of 2020-2021,” said climate expert Massimiliano Pasqui, from the National Research Council (CNR), as per Italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera. The country requires 500 millimetres of rain in the north-western regions over 50 days in order to recover, he added, reported Reuters.&nbsp;

Italy’s state of emergency over droughts&nbsp;

Last year, Italy declared a state of emergency in five northern regions which included areas surrounding the river Po which was facing its worst drought in 70 years. The government placed Emilia-Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Piedmont and Veneto under emergency and announced a relief fund of $38 million to help tackle the water shortage.&nbsp;

The phenomenon had been attributed to an unusually early heatwave and a lack of rainfall, particularly in the Po valley. Additionally, Lakes Maggiore and Garda had witnessed lower levels of water than typically expected at that time of the year while the levels of the Tiber River, which runs through Rome had also dropped.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Venice has often been described as a beautiful oddity and rightfully so. The Italian city built on over 100 islands and crisscrossed by 177 canals and which was once at risk of drowning is now running dry.

Venice has often been described as a beautiful oddity and rightfully so. The Italian city built on over 100 islands and crisscrossed by 177 canals and which was once at risk of drowning is now running dry. This has been attributed to weeks of dry winter weather while scientists and environmental groups have raised concerns that this could signal another drought in the European country after last summer’s emergency. What is happening in Venice? The Italian city, famous for its gondolas, has also been suffering alongside the country’s rivers and lakes which are also witnessing a severe lack of water. The problems in Venice have been attributed to a combination of factors ranging from a prolonged spell of low tides, lack of rain and a high-pressure system to even a full moon and sea currents. Consequently, this has led to frustrated boat crews and worried officials as ambulances are unable to navigate through some of its narrower canals. This has become particularly problematic since the famous waterways serve as streets in car-less Venice. According to a report by the Associated Press, ambulance boats, in certain areas of the city, had to be left tied up farther from their destination. This forced medical personnel to lift stretchers over long distances since their vessels cannot pass through canals reduced to a trickle of water and mud. Last week, a series of images out of Venice showed pools of water collected in some canals and parked gondolas alongside exposed foundations of several buildings. This also meant that tourists could not navigate some secondary waterways in the Italian city. Notably, boats continued to work in some of the wider waterways across Venice which included the Grand and Giudecca canals. A sustainable development analyst with the environmental advocacy group, We Are Here Venice, Jane Da Mosto has attributed this phenomenon in the Italian city to a combination of high atmospheric pressure with the lunar cycle producing an ultra-low water level during ebb tide, during mid-winter, reported AP. She also said how this phenomenon highlights the need for cleaning Venice’s inner canal network which is often overlooked. “It's an absolutely normal phenomenon,” said Alvise Papa, the head of Venice’s tide forecasting centre to AFP, on Tuesday. He added, “Low tides are not enough to dry up the canals, but this year they are accompanied by high atmospheric pressure, which prevents bad weather”. Venice was expected to return to normalcy sometime this week. Experts raise concern over Italy’s rivers and lakes As Venice continues to grapple with the dire situation of its waterways, the rest of the country is not faring well either. In the past few days, scientists and experts, in the context of the situation of Venice’s canals have indicated that the country may face another drought. In a statement, on Monday, one of the largest environmental NGOs in Italy, the Legambiente said rivers and lakes, particularly in the north of the country are in “distress” due to the severe lack of water. In this context, scientists have also referred to the Alps which received less than half of their normal snowfall. The aforementioned high-pressure system compounded by scarce Alpine snow melt this year has also contributed to the lack of water in lakes and rivers in northern Italy in the past few weeks. The lack of snow this year has also been a concern since there was 53 per cent less in the Alps, particularly in the Po basin. Consequently, the Po, Italy’s longest river which runs from the Alps in the northwest to the Adriatic Sea also received 61 per cent less water than it typically does around this time of the year, said the environmental advocacy citing data from CIMA Research Foundation. Notably, the aforementioned river accounts for roughly a third of the country's agricultural production. The statement also warned about the cascading effects of a prolonged drought in Italy which included, the lack of water for civil, agricultural and industrial uses that would, in turn, lead to loss of biodiversity, lower yields of crops, and disturb the balance of natural ecosystems. This also comes as an anticyclone has been dominating the weather in western Europe for the past 15 days or so, which has led to an increase in the number of mild temperatures typically witnessed in late spring, as per Reuters. Additionally, the record low water levels in Lake Garda, in northern Italy, made it possible to reach the small island of San Biagio. Earlier this month, a small pathway which links the shore to the island re-emerged and visitors were able to walk across the middle of the lake. “We are in a water deficit situation that has been building up since the winter of 2020-2021,” said climate expert Massimiliano Pasqui, from the National Research Council (CNR), as per Italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera. The country requires 500 millimetres of rain in the north-western regions over 50 days in order to recover, he added, reported Reuters. Italy’s state of emergency over droughts Last year, Italy declared a state of emergency in five northern regions which included areas surrounding the river Po which was facing its worst drought in 70 years. The government placed Emilia-Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Piedmont and Veneto under emergency and announced a relief fund of $38 million to help tackle the water shortage. The phenomenon had been attributed to an unusually early heatwave and a lack of rainfall, particularly in the Po valley. Additionally, Lakes Maggiore and Garda had witnessed lower levels of water than typically expected at that time of the year while the levels of the Tiber River, which runs through Rome had also dropped. (With inputs from agencies)

Explained | Scientists in Italy raise concerns after Venice canals run dry. Here’s why

12 years after the first Avatar released in screen and became a cult classic, filmmaker James Cameron is back with its sequel 'Avatar: The Way Of Water'. Considering Cameron took several years to develop the story and the technology to back it, it is being widely touted as one of the most anticipated films of the year. Featuring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana who reprise their role in the sequel, the film is rich in visuals. But is it worth the hype? Watch Critically Speaking to know more.

Critically Speaking: Is Avatar: The Way of Water worth the hype?

Are India & China heading towards a 'water war'? Satellite images show China is building a dam near Arunachal border. In response, India has also expedited hydro-power projects in the state.

Gravitas: Are India & China heading towards a water war?

The world of robotics is expanding with every passing day and now,&nbsp;robots will be used to keep a watch on pipe networks in England and Wales. According to the water industry economic regulator Ofwat, England and Wales lose around three billion litres of water due to water pipe leaks and the robots can be the solution to these problems. Scientists told BBC that the miniature robots will patrol the pipe network and produce constant updates about any potential leaks or damages.

"In [this region] alone, we look after more than 8,500km (5,282 miles) of pipe and only about half the leaks in those pipes are visible, which means it's complicated to pinpoint where [the rest] are," Colin Day from Essex and Suffolk Water told BBC when asked about measures against the leaks.

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Some companies are already using tethered robots to carry out the process but the Integrated Civil and Infrastructure Research Centre (ICAIR) at the University of Sheffield has come up with a new generation of robots. The Pipebots are equipped with small cameras and adaptable legs which allows it to cover more area and provide constant surveillance footage of the water pipes.

"Companies only respond reactively to faults at the moment, not proactively," Professor Kirill Horoshenkov, a member of the testing group, told BBC when asked about the robots. "We need to have the presence of robots so they can continuously collect data before the onset of faults."

"They move along the pipe, taking pictures and they have a microphone to listen to the pipe. They're designed to make decisions about whether the pipe is likely to develop a fault or not," he added.

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The world of robotics is expanding with every passing day and now, robots will be used to keep a watch on pipe networks in England and Wales. According to the water industry economic regulator Ofwat, England and Wales lose around three billion litres of water due to water pipe leaks and the robots can be the solution to these problems.

The world of robotics is expanding with every passing day and now, robots will be used to keep a watch on pipe networks in England and Wales. According to the water industry economic regulator Ofwat, England and Wales lose around three billion litres of water due to water pipe leaks and the robots can be the solution to these problems. Scientists told BBC that the miniature robots will patrol the pipe network and produce constant updates about any potential leaks or damages. "In [this region] alone, we look after more than 8,500km (5,282 miles) of pipe and only about half the leaks in those pipes are visible, which means it's complicated to pinpoint where [the rest] are," Colin Day from Essex and Suffolk Water told BBC when asked about measures against the leaks. Also read | Ukraine calls for Russia's exclusion from United Nations Security Counci Some companies are already using tethered robots to carry out the process but the Integrated Civil and Infrastructure Research Centre (ICAIR) at the University of Sheffield has come up with a new generation of robots. The Pipebots are equipped with small cameras and adaptable legs which allows it to cover more area and provide constant surveillance footage of the water pipes. "Companies only respond reactively to faults at the moment, not proactively," Professor Kirill Horoshenkov, a member of the testing group, told BBC when asked about the robots. "We need to have the presence of robots so they can continuously collect data before the onset of faults." "They move along the pipe, taking pictures and they have a microphone to listen to the pipe. They're designed to make decisions about whether the pipe is likely to develop a fault or not," he added.

Pipebots: The tiny 'leak hunter' robots that can save billions of litres of water

A new study has claimed that excessive drinking water could lead to death. Examining how legendary actor Bruce Lee died. A study in Clinical Kidney Journal claimed it happened because his kidneys were unable to eliminate extra water. Watch this to know more.

How much drinking water is too much? | WION Shorts

Drinking eight glasses of water every day has become accepted wisdom, to the point that people have stopped questioning its origin. But the latest study says it is excessive for most.

WION Fineprint: 8 glasses of water a day: myth or medicine?

A hosepipe ban which has affected 15 million people in London and southern England has finally been lifted. The ban was lifted on November 22 due to heavy rains. Watch this video to know more.

WION Climate Tracker: Thames Water lifts hosepipe ban affecting 15 million people

Faced with worsening urban floods, cities in China are embracing nature and building 'sponge cities'. These sponge cities allow urban areas to absorb water in times of high rainfall and release it in times of drought.

WION Climate Tracker: China's water absorbing 'sponge city'

NASA Lunar flashlight: Moon has water in form of water ice. This fact is established. But to sustain long-term human presence on Earth's only satellite, we need to find a way to purify the water to make it drinkable and even use it in fuel. And for this, we need to pinpoint the areas on the Moon that have a considerable concentration of water ice.

Scientists at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are taking steps in this direction. They are planning to launch a satellite which will use a 'torch' or a 'flashlight' to sense presence of water.

Watch | NASA spacecraft records epic 'Marsquakes', images show debris hurled up to 40 KM

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The satellite is due to be launched on November 9 on SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket. It is a small, briefcase-sized satellite.

It is believed that Moon's south pole has water ice in considerable concentration. It is expected that concentration will be more in craters that are permanently in shadow or receive minimal sunlight.

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NASA's 'Lunar Flashlight' will use a laser which it will shine of the surface of the Moon to detect water. This satellite orbit the Moon at a farthest distance of 70,000 km from the surface. While at its closest, the staellite will be just 15 km away from the lunar surface.

“The satellite will be put on a trajectory that will take about three months to reach its science orbit. Then Lunar Flashlight will try to find water ice on the surface of the Moon in places that nobody else has been able to look at,” John Baker, the mission’s project manager, said in a statement.

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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NASA Lunar flashlight: Moon has water in form of water ice. This fact is established. But to sustain long-term human presence on Earth's only satellite, we need to find a way to purify the water to make it drinkable and even use it in fuel.

NASA Lunar flashlight: Moon has water in form of water ice. This fact is established. But to sustain long-term human presence on Earth's only satellite, we need to find a way to purify the water to make it drinkable and even use it in fuel. And for this, we need to pinpoint the areas on the Moon that have a considerable concentration of water ice. Scientists at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are taking steps in this direction. They are planning to launch a satellite which will use a 'torch' or a 'flashlight' to sense presence of water. Watch | NASA spacecraft records epic 'Marsquakes', images show debris hurled up to 40 KM × The satellite is due to be launched on November 9 on SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket. It is a small, briefcase-sized satellite. It is believed that Moon's south pole has water ice in considerable concentration. It is expected that concentration will be more in craters that are permanently in shadow or receive minimal sunlight. Also Read | Say cheese! NASA captures a smiling picture of sun, netizens amazed NASA's 'Lunar Flashlight' will use a laser which it will shine of the surface of the Moon to detect water. This satellite orbit the Moon at a farthest distance of 70,000 km from the surface. While at its closest, the staellite will be just 15 km away from the lunar surface. “The satellite will be put on a trajectory that will take about three months to reach its science orbit. Then Lunar Flashlight will try to find water ice on the surface of the Moon in places that nobody else has been able to look at,” John Baker, the mission’s project manager, said in a statement. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

NASA is going to use a 'torch' to find water on Moon

Now a new study has shown that nearly about three times the amount of water that is found in the ocean actually lies under the Earth's crust.

Most of the Earth's water is underground?

Before arriving in New Delhi, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina sent out a message to India. Hasina wants India to "show more generosity" when it comes to water sharing. Palki Sharma tells you what to expect from her visit.

Gravitas | Sheikh Hasina to India: Be more generous with water

A research mission in the Maldives is diving 1,000 metres to probe the links between surface water and deep water. Can this underwater mission uncover deep sea mysteries? Mariam Wardak tells you.

South Asia Diary: Maldivian mission to probe deep sea mysteries

Soldiers in fatigues have been called in to assist as a crisis that has become more severe has left many inhabitants of Mississippi's capital city without clean water. They are using forklifts and diggers to unload massive pallets of bottled water for distribution to those who are most in need.&nbsp;

Water shortages have been an ongoing problem in Jackson, where 80 percent of residents are Black and poverty is pervasive. However, this one is exceptionally bad, leaving many locals without access to clean, flowing water for almost a week.&nbsp;

A crucial but outdated water treatment plant's operations were hampered for days by significant flooding.

Due to the low pressure, brown water—which is unfit for consumption even after boiling—occasionally sputters out when inhabitants turn on the faucet.&nbsp;

"At my home the water is running very slowly. It's a horrible situation in the entire city", the 55-year-old Jackson resident Mary Jones said.&nbsp;

The federal government has pledged resources to assist Mississippi in resolving the situation.&nbsp;

Major repairs are being made, but for the time being, people must rely on bottled water that is delivered heaped tall on pallets.

Every resident who visits a distribution site is entitled to two cases.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-zulu-bare-breasted-maiden-dance-revived-first-time-since-covid-512719">Watch: Zulu 'bare-breasted maiden' dance revived first time since Covid</a>

Many linked it to the water crisis that occurred in Flint, Michigan between 2014 and 2016. Because of poor management and negligence, the city's water supply was dangerously poisoned with lead.&nbsp;

The largest city in Mississippi, one of the poorest states in the union, is Jackson. The tax base decreased for years as more wealthy white citizens relocated to the suburbs, contributing to the city's struggling finances. A quarter of Jackson's population now lives in poverty.&nbsp;

One resident, who asked that her name not be used&nbsp;gave a description of her typical day.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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Soldiers in fatigues have been called in to assist as a crisis that has become more severe has left many inhabitants of Mississippi's capital city without clean water.

Soldiers in fatigues have been called in to assist as a crisis that has become more severe has left many inhabitants of Mississippi's capital city without clean water. They are using forklifts and diggers to unload massive pallets of bottled water for distribution to those who are most in need. Water shortages have been an ongoing problem in Jackson, where 80 percent of residents are Black and poverty is pervasive. However, this one is exceptionally bad, leaving many locals without access to clean, flowing water for almost a week. A crucial but outdated water treatment plant's operations were hampered for days by significant flooding. Due to the low pressure, brown water—which is unfit for consumption even after boiling—occasionally sputters out when inhabitants turn on the faucet. "At my home the water is running very slowly. It's a horrible situation in the entire city", the 55-year-old Jackson resident Mary Jones said. The federal government has pledged resources to assist Mississippi in resolving the situation. Major repairs are being made, but for the time being, people must rely on bottled water that is delivered heaped tall on pallets. Every resident who visits a distribution site is entitled to two cases. Also Read: Watch: Zulu 'bare-breasted maiden' dance revived first time since Covid Many linked it to the water crisis that occurred in Flint, Michigan between 2014 and 2016. Because of poor management and negligence, the city's water supply was dangerously poisoned with lead. The largest city in Mississippi, one of the poorest states in the union, is Jackson. The tax base decreased for years as more wealthy white citizens relocated to the suburbs, contributing to the city's struggling finances. A quarter of Jackson's population now lives in poverty. One resident, who asked that her name not be used gave a description of her typical day. (with inputs from agencies)

Mississippi capital with 80% black, poverty rife population struggles without drinkable water

United States where Mississippi continues to struggle with its water crisis and frustrations mounting the state's capital. Residents endured 5th day without running water and 600 troops have been deployed to distribute water.

WION Climate Tracker | Jackson: Residents endure 5th day without running water

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