In a major crackdown against spurious mineral water being sold in trains, more than 800 people were arrested on Wednesday.

As many as 48,860 bottles of spurious mineral water were recovered in an operation which was carried out at over 300 places following the complaints filed by passengers.

"A major crackdown on those who sell spurious mineral water was carried out at over 300 places. More than 800 persons, including manager of 4 pantry cars, were arrested and 48,860 bottles recovered," news agency ANI quoted Railway Minister Piyush Goyal.

Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court asked the Railways on Tuesday to file an affidavit detailing the steps it has taken, and proposes to take, to ensure availability of clean and safe drinking water on its trains as well as stations.

The lawyers, representing the Railways, told the HC that it has set up chlorination plants to treat the water. The Railways also told the court that it, occasionally, sends samples of water collected from its stations to laboratories. 
 
Indian Railways has been taking steps to ensure the safety and convenience of passengers. Passengers on board premier trains like Rajdhani and Duronto are provided with free Rail Neer bottles but passengers on many other trains have to rely on either buying bottles or using drinking water taps at stations.&nbsp;

However, several vendors supply spurious water with stickers of well-known brands pasted on bottles.

 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

In a major crackdown against spurious mineral water being sold in trains, more than 800 people were arrested on Wednesday. As many as 48,860 bottles of spurious mineral water were recovered in an operation which was carried out at over 300 places following the complaints filed by passengers.

In a major crackdown against spurious mineral water being sold in trains, more than 800 people were arrested on Wednesday. As many as 48,860 bottles of spurious mineral water were recovered in an operation which was carried out at over 300 places following the complaints filed by passengers. "A major crackdown on those who sell spurious mineral water was carried out at over 300 places. More than 800 persons, including manager of 4 pantry cars, were arrested and 48,860 bottles recovered," news agency ANI quoted Railway Minister Piyush Goyal. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court asked the Railways on Tuesday to file an affidavit detailing the steps it has taken, and proposes to take, to ensure availability of clean and safe drinking water on its trains as well as stations. The lawyers, representing the Railways, told the HC that it has set up chlorination plants to treat the water. The Railways also told the court that it, occasionally, sends samples of water collected from its stations to laboratories. Indian Railways has been taking steps to ensure the safety and convenience of passengers. Passengers on board premier trains like Rajdhani and Duronto are provided with free Rail Neer bottles but passengers on many other trains have to rely on either buying bottles or using drinking water taps at stations. However, several vendors supply spurious water with stickers of well-known brands pasted on bottles. (With inputs from agencies)

Over 800 people arrested in crackdown against spurious water sold in trains

The groundwater level in 16 per cent of the taluka, mandal, block-level units in the country fall under the “over-exploited” category, while 4 per cent fall under the “critical” category, government data shows. Groundwater level of the 6,584 block, mandal, tehsil level units assessed by the Central Groundwater Board reveal that 4,520 units fall under the “safe category”, according to the data shared by the government in Lok Sabha last week.

As many as 1,034 units have been categorised as “over-exploited”, the data states. Nearly 681 block, mandal, taluka level units in the country, constituting 10 per cent of the total figure, fall under the “semi-critical” category, while 253 fall under the “critical” category. Nearly 1 per cent of the blocks, mandals and talukas had saline water. The figure is based on the government’s 2013 assessment.

“As per the 2013 assessment, out of total 6,584 assessment units (blocks, talukas, mandals, watersheds, firkas) in the country, 1,034 units in 17 states and Union territories have been categorised as over-exploited where groundwater extraction is more than the net groundwater availability and there is a significant long-term decline in water levels.

“Two hundred and fifty-three units have been categorised as critical, 681 units as semi-critical and 4,520 units as safe,” the minister of state in the Jal Shakti Ministry shared the information in Parliament last week. The overexploitation of the groundwater was highest in the states of Punjab (76 per cent) and Rajasthan (66 per cent), followed by Delhi (56 per cent) and Haryana (54 per cent). There was no over-exploitation of groundwater reported in the states of West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Tripura, Odisha, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Goa.

Groundwater levels in all the block, taluka, mandal level units from 12 states and Union territories — Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli — were reported to be in the safe category.

The groundwater level in 16 per cent of the taluka, mandal, block-level units in the country fall under the “over-exploited” category, while 4 per cent fall under the “critical” category, government data shows.

The groundwater level in 16 per cent of the taluka, mandal, block-level units in the country fall under the “over-exploited” category, while 4 per cent fall under the “critical” category, government data shows. Groundwater level of the 6,584 block, mandal, tehsil level units assessed by the Central Groundwater Board reveal that 4,520 units fall under the “safe category”, according to the data shared by the government in Lok Sabha last week. As many as 1,034 units have been categorised as “over-exploited”, the data states. Nearly 681 block, mandal, taluka level units in the country, constituting 10 per cent of the total figure, fall under the “semi-critical” category, while 253 fall under the “critical” category. Nearly 1 per cent of the blocks, mandals and talukas had saline water. The figure is based on the government’s 2013 assessment. “As per the 2013 assessment, out of total 6,584 assessment units (blocks, talukas, mandals, watersheds, firkas) in the country, 1,034 units in 17 states and Union territories have been categorised as over-exploited where groundwater extraction is more than the net groundwater availability and there is a significant long-term decline in water levels. “Two hundred and fifty-three units have been categorised as critical, 681 units as semi-critical and 4,520 units as safe,” the minister of state in the Jal Shakti Ministry shared the information in Parliament last week. The overexploitation of the groundwater was highest in the states of Punjab (76 per cent) and Rajasthan (66 per cent), followed by Delhi (56 per cent) and Haryana (54 per cent). There was no over-exploitation of groundwater reported in the states of West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Tripura, Odisha, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Goa. Groundwater levels in all the block, taluka, mandal level units from 12 states and Union territories — Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli — were reported to be in the safe category.

Water crisis: Groundwater level in 16% tehsils, mandals and blocks in ‘over-exploited’ category

India Watch, 21st June 2019

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday said the government is taking steps to provide water through desalination plants, groundwater and what’s available in the quarries. Watch this video to know more.

India Watch: Water crisis intensifies in Chennai

A report on equitable water distribution across Mumbai has been prepared and the Maharashtra government will ask the city civic body to implement it, Minister of State for Urban Development Yogesh Sagar said on Thursday.

He was responding to a question raised by NCP member Rahul Narvekar through a Calling Attention notice in the state Legislative Council.

"A comprehensive report on equitable water distribution for Mumbai city and its suburban areas is ready. The report will be shared with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) soon and the civic body will be asked to implement it," Sagar said in the House.

To another question, he said people living on forest land in Mumbai for years were not getting adequate drinking water supply, but the government will soon ensure it for them.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in 2016 announced setting up a committee to ensure equitable water distribution for the region coming under jurisdiction of the BMC.

The Mumbai civic body loses around 25 to 27 per cent water due to leakages, Sagar noted.

"The government is trying hard to minimise such losses so that it can cater to the growing drinking water demand," he said.

Sagar said though the number of city's permanent residents is limited, its floating population (those who keep moving from place to place) puts a lot of pressure on the administration.

"It is necessary to supply 270 litre of water per person in city areas, mainly due to the pressure of the floating population," the minister said

A report on equitable water distribution across Mumbai has been prepared and the Maharashtra government will ask the city civic body to implement it, Minister of State for Urban Development Yogesh Sagar said on Thursday.

A report on equitable water distribution across Mumbai has been prepared and the Maharashtra government will ask the city civic body to implement it, Minister of State for Urban Development Yogesh Sagar said on Thursday. He was responding to a question raised by NCP member Rahul Narvekar through a Calling Attention notice in the state Legislative Council. "A comprehensive report on equitable water distribution for Mumbai city and its suburban areas is ready. The report will be shared with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) soon and the civic body will be asked to implement it," Sagar said in the House. To another question, he said people living on forest land in Mumbai for years were not getting adequate drinking water supply, but the government will soon ensure it for them. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in 2016 announced setting up a committee to ensure equitable water distribution for the region coming under jurisdiction of the BMC. The Mumbai civic body loses around 25 to 27 per cent water due to leakages, Sagar noted. "The government is trying hard to minimise such losses so that it can cater to the growing drinking water demand," he said. Sagar said though the number of city's permanent residents is limited, its floating population (those who keep moving from place to place) puts a lot of pressure on the administration. "It is necessary to supply 270 litre of water per person in city areas, mainly due to the pressure of the floating population," the minister said

Maharashtra government to ask BMC to ensure equitable water supply: Minister

Parts of India reel under water crisis, Water level in 91 major reservoirs down to 20% of the capacity. Watch this video to know more.

Parts of India reel under water crisis

People residing in Semkhor village of Assam are facing acute water crisis even after 70 years of independence.

To meet their needs, the residents of this village collect water that drips from the mountains in pits.

Crying foul, the locals here told ANI, that governments kept on changing but none helped them in combating the crisis.

Sopesh Pathari, a resident of Semkhor village, narrating his ordeal said, "We drink water which comes out of mountains. We do not have arrangements like tubewell or anything by the government. People residing in the area are drinking water like this."

Their sufferings do not end here; the locals have to travel over a kilometre to fetch water every day.

"We have a big water problem. We have requested the government department but they did not do anything. We travel one kilometre to get clean water," another resident Khurabi told ANI.

The locals further underscored that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has constructed toilets but not provided water in them."It is very difficult to search for water. We do not even get water to bath," a woman here said.

As per Census 2011, the availability of drinking water in households in Assam within the premises is 55%, near the household premises is 27%, and away from the household premises is 19%.

Census 2011 defines the concept of 'within the premises'&nbsp;as the area of the household, and 'near the premises'&nbsp;in an urban scenario as 100m from the premises and 500m from the premises in a rural scenario. 'Away', in the urban scenario, is defined as beyond 100m from the household premises and in a rural area as beyond 500m.

People residing in Semkhor village of Assam are facing acute water crisis even after 70 years of independence. To meet their needs, the residents of this village collect water that drips from the mountains in pits.

People residing in Semkhor village of Assam are facing acute water crisis even after 70 years of independence. To meet their needs, the residents of this village collect water that drips from the mountains in pits. Crying foul, the locals here told ANI, that governments kept on changing but none helped them in combating the crisis. Sopesh Pathari, a resident of Semkhor village, narrating his ordeal said, "We drink water which comes out of mountains. We do not have arrangements like tubewell or anything by the government. People residing in the area are drinking water like this." Their sufferings do not end here; the locals have to travel over a kilometre to fetch water every day. "We have a big water problem. We have requested the government department but they did not do anything. We travel one kilometre to get clean water," another resident Khurabi told ANI. The locals further underscored that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has constructed toilets but not provided water in them."It is very difficult to search for water. We do not even get water to bath," a woman here said. As per Census 2011, the availability of drinking water in households in Assam within the premises is 55%, near the household premises is 27%, and away from the household premises is 19%. Census 2011 defines the concept of 'within the premises' as the area of the household, and 'near the premises' in an urban scenario as 100m from the premises and 500m from the premises in a rural scenario. 'Away', in the urban scenario, is defined as beyond 100m from the household premises and in a rural area as beyond 500m.

A battle for survival: To quench thirst, residents of this Assam village collect water dripping from mountains

Countries where drinking tap water is reality

England could run <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-water-day-heartbreaking-facts-about-water-scarcity-36654">short of water</a> in 25 years, the country's Environment Agency was quoted as saying in news reports Tuesday.&nbsp;

Sir James Bevan blamed the cause on global warming and the country's rising population, adding that England was facing the "jaws of death".&nbsp;

“Around 25 years from now, where those (demand and supply) lines cross is known by some as the ‘jaws of death’ — the point at which we will not have enough water to supply our needs, unless we take action to change things,” Bevan was quoted as telling the Guardian, before a speech at the Waterwise conference in London.&nbsp;

“Water companies all identify the same thing as their biggest operating risk: climate change,” he added.&nbsp;

Bevan told the Guardian that by 2040 most summers would be hotter than the 2003 heatwave. That he said would lead to more water shortages and, potentially, 50-80% less water in some rivers in the summer.&nbsp;

But, added Bevan, it was still possible to bring things under control.&nbsp;

That he said could be done by cutting people’s water use by a third and leakage from water company pipes by 50%, along with big new reservoirs, more desalination plants and transfers of water across the country.

Bevan said England had, over the last two years, been able to "change people's behaviour"&nbsp;when it came to plastic; they now needed to do the same thing with their usage of water.&nbsp;

“We need water wastage to be as socially unacceptable as blowing smoke in the face of a baby or throwing your plastic bags into the sea,” he told the Guardian.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The UK's population is currently 67 million. It is expected to rise to 75 million by 2050.

The BBC reported Bevan as being expected to say at the Waterwise conference that: "So: climate change plus growth equals an existential threat... to our economy, environment, security, happiness, way of life. We can choose to ignore this problem. Or we can choose to tackle it."

The BBC added that people&nbsp;currently use, on average, 140 litres of water a day. And that Bevan will calling on people to cut that down to 100 litres.

Bevan was expected to hand out tips to help people pare their water use.

They are expected to include: getting a low-flush toilet; taking short showers,&nbsp;turn the tap off when brushing your teeth&nbsp;and, the BBC added,&nbsp;not to water your lawn as "it will survive without you".&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

England could run short of water in 25 years, the country's Environment Agency was quoted as saying in news reports Tuesday. Sir James Bevan blamed the cause on global warming and the country's rising population, adding that England was facing the "jaws of death".

England could run short of water in 25 years, the country's Environment Agency was quoted as saying in news reports Tuesday. Sir James Bevan blamed the cause on global warming and the country's rising population, adding that England was facing the "jaws of death". “Around 25 years from now, where those (demand and supply) lines cross is known by some as the ‘jaws of death’ — the point at which we will not have enough water to supply our needs, unless we take action to change things,” Bevan was quoted as telling the Guardian, before a speech at the Waterwise conference in London. “Water companies all identify the same thing as their biggest operating risk: climate change,” he added. Bevan told the Guardian that by 2040 most summers would be hotter than the 2003 heatwave. That he said would lead to more water shortages and, potentially, 50-80% less water in some rivers in the summer. But, added Bevan, it was still possible to bring things under control. That he said could be done by cutting people’s water use by a third and leakage from water company pipes by 50%, along with big new reservoirs, more desalination plants and transfers of water across the country. Bevan said England had, over the last two years, been able to "change people's behaviour" when it came to plastic; they now needed to do the same thing with their usage of water. “We need water wastage to be as socially unacceptable as blowing smoke in the face of a baby or throwing your plastic bags into the sea,” he told the Guardian. The UK's population is currently 67 million. It is expected to rise to 75 million by 2050. The BBC reported Bevan as being expected to say at the Waterwise conference that: "So: climate change plus growth equals an existential threat... to our economy, environment, security, happiness, way of life. We can choose to ignore this problem. Or we can choose to tackle it." The BBC added that people currently use, on average, 140 litres of water a day. And that Bevan will calling on people to cut that down to 100 litres. Bevan was expected to hand out tips to help people pare their water use. They are expected to include: getting a low-flush toilet; taking short showers, turn the tap off when brushing your teeth and, the BBC added, not to water your lawn as "it will survive without you".

England could run short of water in 25 years: Environment Agency chief

Study suggests nearly 80% of water is contaminated and unfit for consumption in Bengaluru

Italian magistrates on Tuesday accused the Doctors without Borders (MSF) charity of illegally dumping toxic waste at ports in southern Italy in what MSF said was an attempt to halt migrant rescue efforts by other means.

Magistrates ordered the MSF-operated ship Aquarius, which has saved thousands of migrants since 2016, to be impounded but the charity denied any wrongdoing and accused Italy of seeking to criminalise humanitarian search and rescue missions.

The Aquarius has been blocked at the French port of Marseilles since September, after failing to find a country willing to register its trips to the southern Mediterranean.

It was not immediately clear if French authorities would impound the ship.

The public prosecutor's office in Catania, Sicily, said it believed crew on the Aquarius, and its sister ship VOS Prudence, had illegally dumped potentially dangerous medical waste among ordinary rubbish between January, 2017 and May, 2018.

It said in a statement 24,000 kg (52,900 lb) of suspect waste, including potentially hazardous medical matter, was handed over to local authorities at 11 ports in Italy.

By failing to declare possibly dangerous materials, the ships' operators avoided about 460,000 euros (US $526,000) of waste disposal costs, prosecutors said. They ordered that this sum be immediately frozen in the accounts of the charities.

Some 24 people, including two Italian shipping agents, have been placed under preliminary investigation in the case, prosecutors said.

MSF and SOS Mediterranee, which works alongside MSF, said they had always followed standard procedures when disposing of waste after trips looking for migrants off the coast of Libya.

"This is an extreme, worrying effort to stop at all costs our search and rescue activity in the sea," Karline Kleijer, head of emergencies at MSF, said in a statement.

The SOS Mediterranee charity called on France to "show restraint" in the face of the Italian investigation.

The Italian government has led a crackdown against Mediterranean rescue ships since taking office in June, denying them access to local ports following the arrival of almost 650,000 people from North Africa since 2014.

Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, who heads the far-right League party, welcomed Tuesday's move by Catania magistrates.

"I did well to block the NGO ships. I stopped not only the traffic of illegal immigrants but, from what it seems, also that of toxic waste," he added.

Italian magistrates on Tuesday accused the Doctors without Borders (MSF) charity of illegally dumping toxic waste at ports in southern Italy in what MSF said was an attempt to halt migrant rescue efforts by other means.

Italian magistrates on Tuesday accused the Doctors without Borders (MSF) charity of illegally dumping toxic waste at ports in southern Italy in what MSF said was an attempt to halt migrant rescue efforts by other means. Magistrates ordered the MSF-operated ship Aquarius, which has saved thousands of migrants since 2016, to be impounded but the charity denied any wrongdoing and accused Italy of seeking to criminalise humanitarian search and rescue missions. The Aquarius has been blocked at the French port of Marseilles since September, after failing to find a country willing to register its trips to the southern Mediterranean. It was not immediately clear if French authorities would impound the ship. The public prosecutor's office in Catania, Sicily, said it believed crew on the Aquarius, and its sister ship VOS Prudence, had illegally dumped potentially dangerous medical waste among ordinary rubbish between January, 2017 and May, 2018. It said in a statement 24,000 kg (52,900 lb) of suspect waste, including potentially hazardous medical matter, was handed over to local authorities at 11 ports in Italy. By failing to declare possibly dangerous materials, the ships' operators avoided about 460,000 euros (US $526,000) of waste disposal costs, prosecutors said. They ordered that this sum be immediately frozen in the accounts of the charities. Some 24 people, including two Italian shipping agents, have been placed under preliminary investigation in the case, prosecutors said. MSF and SOS Mediterranee, which works alongside MSF, said they had always followed standard procedures when disposing of waste after trips looking for migrants off the coast of Libya. "This is an extreme, worrying effort to stop at all costs our search and rescue activity in the sea," Karline Kleijer, head of emergencies at MSF, said in a statement. The SOS Mediterranee charity called on France to "show restraint" in the face of the Italian investigation. The Italian government has led a crackdown against Mediterranean rescue ships since taking office in June, denying them access to local ports following the arrival of almost 650,000 people from North Africa since 2014. Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, who heads the far-right League party, welcomed Tuesday's move by Catania magistrates. "I did well to block the NGO ships. I stopped not only the traffic of illegal immigrants but, from what it seems, also that of toxic waste," he added.

Italy accuses NGO migrant ship of dumping toxic waste

&nbsp;Amid acute water shortage, the situation in Shimla improved as authorities increased supply for the second day on Sunday, even though officials said the rationing system put in place in the Himachal Pradesh capital would continue.

Shimla residents have been facing severe water shortage for more than two weeks now. Authorities have put in place a rationing system under which the hill city has been divided into three zones and each zone receives water alternatively - after two days.

On Saturday, the volume of water supply was increased by 7 million litres per day to 28 million litres per day (MLD). Yesterday, supply was further increased to 37 MLD after the Shimla Municipal Corporation plugged leakages and snapped illegal connections, officials said.

Shimla Municipal Corporation sources said the schedule for supplying water to the three zones would be modified if more water was available. Shimla normally requires 40-45 MLD of water during summers.

Officials blame reduced snowfall and rainfall in higher reaches last winter season for the shortage in water supply.

The higher education department has ordered government schools to remain shut for a week in view of water shortage. There would be no monsoon break in schools this year, it said.

Public schools have been ordered shut for 10 days.

Army and police personnel too have been working with the civic body to find ways to improve water supply in the state capital.

The Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee has demanded the dissolution of the BJP-controlled municipal corporation.

In a memorandum to Governor Acharya Devvrat, IN Mehta, chairman of legal and human rights department of the state Congress committee, said the municipal corporation failed to ensure uninterrupted water supply and it should be dismissed by invoking Section 404 of Municipal Corporation Act.

Local authorities now hope that the pre-monsoon showers by the third week of June would improve the situation.

Authorities have put in place a rationing system under which Shimla has been divided into three zones. Each zone receives water alternatively - after two days.

Amid acute water shortage, the situation in Shimla improved as authorities increased supply for the second day on Sunday, even though officials said the rationing system put in place in the Himachal Pradesh capital would continue. Shimla residents have been facing severe water shortage for more than two weeks now. Authorities have put in place a rationing system under which the hill city has been divided into three zones and each zone receives water alternatively - after two days. On Saturday, the volume of water supply was increased by 7 million litres per day to 28 million litres per day (MLD). Yesterday, supply was further increased to 37 MLD after the Shimla Municipal Corporation plugged leakages and snapped illegal connections, officials said. Shimla Municipal Corporation sources said the schedule for supplying water to the three zones would be modified if more water was available. Shimla normally requires 40-45 MLD of water during summers. Officials blame reduced snowfall and rainfall in higher reaches last winter season for the shortage in water supply. The higher education department has ordered government schools to remain shut for a week in view of water shortage. There would be no monsoon break in schools this year, it said. Public schools have been ordered shut for 10 days. Army and police personnel too have been working with the civic body to find ways to improve water supply in the state capital. The Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee has demanded the dissolution of the BJP-controlled municipal corporation. In a memorandum to Governor Acharya Devvrat, IN Mehta, chairman of legal and human rights department of the state Congress committee, said the municipal corporation failed to ensure uninterrupted water supply and it should be dismissed by invoking Section 404 of Municipal Corporation Act. Local authorities now hope that the pre-monsoon showers by the third week of June would improve the situation.

Water supply in Shimla increases, but rationing system to continue

The Gujarat government will start a month-long initiative from May 1, the state's Foundation Day, to increase its water conservation capacity, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said today.

Tasks like deepening ponds, desilting water reservoirs and check dams, cleaning and repairing Narmada canal networks, and implementing rain water harvesting projects in urban areas will be undertaken during the 31-day statewide 'Sujalam Sufalam Water Conservation Initiative,' Rupani told reporters at a press conference.

Through the month-long programme, the government aims to increase rain water conservation capacity in the state by 11,000 lakh square feet, he said.

The government has earmarked Rs 345 crore for the initiative which will also involve, apart form various government departments, voluntary organisations, industries, educational and religious institutes, and PSUs, he said.

He said the state government had an aim to revive 32 rivers, across a length of 340 kilometres, as part of the initiative.

The move, he said, will see deepening of around 4,000 ponds, 1,500 check dams, 200 water reservoirs, and cleaning and repairing of 5,400 kilometres of canals covering 6,000 villages.

"Development gets hampered due to water scarcity. For systematic solution to the problem of water scarcity faced by the state due to low rainfall, the state government will undertake a month-long water conservation initiative starting May 1," Rupani said.

The allocation and implementation of the work will take place at the district level, and collectors have prepared master plans of works required in their respective districts, he said.

"We call for public participation through manpower, machinery and money. Collectors will co-ordinate the projects at the district level and will reimburse funds to the participants," Rupani said.

He informed that he would launch the project on May 1 by participating in the desilting of a pond at Kosamdi village in Ankleshwar tehsil of Bharuch district.

Local leaders as well as MLAs and MPs will participate in their respective areas. A committee headed by state Chief Secretary J N Singh has been set up to oversee the project, he said.

Through the month-long programme, the government aims to increase rain water conservation capacity in the state by 11,000 lakh square feet

The Gujarat government will start a month-long initiative from May 1, the state's Foundation Day, to increase its water conservation capacity, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said today. Tasks like deepening ponds, desilting water reservoirs and check dams, cleaning and repairing Narmada canal networks, and implementing rain water harvesting projects in urban areas will be undertaken during the 31-day statewide 'Sujalam Sufalam Water Conservation Initiative,' Rupani told reporters at a press conference. Through the month-long programme, the government aims to increase rain water conservation capacity in the state by 11,000 lakh square feet, he said. The government has earmarked Rs 345 crore for the initiative which will also involve, apart form various government departments, voluntary organisations, industries, educational and religious institutes, and PSUs, he said. He said the state government had an aim to revive 32 rivers, across a length of 340 kilometres, as part of the initiative. The move, he said, will see deepening of around 4,000 ponds, 1,500 check dams, 200 water reservoirs, and cleaning and repairing of 5,400 kilometres of canals covering 6,000 villages. "Development gets hampered due to water scarcity. For systematic solution to the problem of water scarcity faced by the state due to low rainfall, the state government will undertake a month-long water conservation initiative starting May 1," Rupani said. The allocation and implementation of the work will take place at the district level, and collectors have prepared master plans of works required in their respective districts, he said. "We call for public participation through manpower, machinery and money. Collectors will co-ordinate the projects at the district level and will reimburse funds to the participants," Rupani said. He informed that he would launch the project on May 1 by participating in the desilting of a pond at Kosamdi village in Ankleshwar tehsil of Bharuch district. Local leaders as well as MLAs and MPs will participate in their respective areas. A committee headed by state Chief Secretary J N Singh has been set up to oversee the project, he said.

Gujarat to launch month-long water conservation project from May 1

A recent study points to the possibility of water taps running completely dry in India. According to a report, countries like India, Morocco, Iraq and Spain are grappling with the problem of shrinking reservoirs due to which tap water in these nations may soon dry up completely.

The study is based on a new early-warning satellite system that has studied world's 500,000 dams and shrinking reservoirs. Experts believe that shrinking reservoirs in the four countries could spark the next "day zero" water crisis.

India

Tensions have been apparent in India over the water allocations for two reservoirs connected by the Narmada river, the study noted. Last month, the Gujarat state government halted irrigation and appealed to farmers not to sow crops.

Morocco 
The starkest decline is that of Morocco's second-largest reservoir Al Massira which has shrunk by 60 per cent in three years due to recurring drought, expanding irrigation and the increasing thirst of neighbouring cities such as Casablanca.

Spain&nbsp; 
The Latin American country has suffered a severe drought that has contributed to a 60 per cent shrinking of the surface area of the Buendia dam over the last five years.

Iraq

The Mosul Dam here has seen a more protracted decline but it is also now down 60 per cent from its peak in the 1990s as a result of low rainfall and competing for demand from Turkish hydropower projects upstream on the Tigris and Euphrates.

Global water crisis, especially in these four nations, suggests that many other countries across the globe may head the South African way.&nbsp;

Cape Town in South Africa recently grabbed global headlines by launching a countdown to the day when taps would be cut off to millions of residents as a result of a three-year drought.

The study was reported by The&nbsp;Guardian.

(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The study is based on a new early warning satellite system that has studied world's 500,000 dams and shrinking reservoirs

A recent study points to the possibility of water taps running completely dry in India. According to a report, countries like India, Morocco, Iraq and Spain are grappling with the problem of shrinking reservoirs due to which tap water in these nations may soon dry up completely. The study is based on a new early-warning satellite system that has studied world's 500,000 dams and shrinking reservoirs. Experts believe that shrinking reservoirs in the four countries could spark the next "day zero" water crisis. India Tensions have been apparent in India over the water allocations for two reservoirs connected by the Narmada river, the study noted. Last month, the Gujarat state government halted irrigation and appealed to farmers not to sow crops. Morocco The starkest decline is that of Morocco's second-largest reservoir Al Massira which has shrunk by 60 per cent in three years due to recurring drought, expanding irrigation and the increasing thirst of neighbouring cities such as Casablanca. Spain The Latin American country has suffered a severe drought that has contributed to a 60 per cent shrinking of the surface area of the Buendia dam over the last five years. Iraq The Mosul Dam here has seen a more protracted decline but it is also now down 60 per cent from its peak in the 1990s as a result of low rainfall and competing for demand from Turkish hydropower projects upstream on the Tigris and Euphrates. Global water crisis, especially in these four nations, suggests that many other countries across the globe may head the South African way. Cape Town in South Africa recently grabbed global headlines by launching a countdown to the day when taps would be cut off to millions of residents as a result of a three-year drought. The study was reported by The Guardian. (With inputs from PTI)

Water taps may go completely dry in India: Report

Hundreds of Cape Town residents are being forced to line up overnight to stock up on water as South Africa&rsquo;s second largest economic hub and tourism attraction struggle with a severe drought that could see taps turned off in May.&nbsp;

The lines are a foretaste of what looks set to become a much bigger problem for the city unless rain falls.

On Monday, city officials pushed back &ldquo;Day Zero&rdquo; &ndash; the day taps could run dry &ndash; by a month to May 11 from April 16, as farmers in the water-intensive agriculture sector cut back consumption amid tight restrictions.

Last week, dam levels in Western Cape province fell to 24.5 percent from 25.3 percent the previous week and from nearly 38 percent a year ago.

Cape Town&rsquo;s drought is part of a wider climate change pattern seen around the country including Eastern Cape province, where several towns also face water shortages.

For hard-pressed residents in the port city of 4 million, fear and anxiety stalk the lines as people consider what might happen when large crowds are forced to line up for emergency water rations at collection points.

&ldquo;I think there is going to be chaos,&rdquo; said Saleigh van der Schyff, as he inched forward in a long line up where people lined up to collect water from a natural spring in the Newlands suburb.

&ldquo;I hope Day Zero never comes, but I can see with people wanting to come here and the desperation for water, we are soon going to realize that water is more valuable than oil,&rdquo; he said at 11 pm local time on Monday as a steady stream of people continued to arrive at the spring to fill their containers.&nbsp;

The spring runs 24-hours a day and has at least three security guards on duty to keep tempers in check.

Cape Town city authorities have previously tested out a water collection site at a soccer field, saying it plans to roll out an estimated 200 such water points across the city. People will line up between metal fences under the gaze of the army and police as they wait in line to fill up their containers.

Authorities say each person will be allocated 25 litres of water per day, and have been urging residents of the city to &ldquo;save water or line up for water&rdquo; in the run-up to Day Zero.&nbsp;

From the beginning of February, residents and visitors will be allocated only 50 litres a day, 7 times less than the average U.S. citizen, according to the World Water Council.

&ldquo;I am extremely worried because of all the negative things that could happen,&rdquo; said Sharon O&lsquo;Connor, a 63-year-old financial assistant as she waited her turn.

Close to the brewery spring at Newlands, city officials stepped in after an altercation to access another spring in the area turned violent. One person was arrested, officials said.

Worried about diseases spreading, the city has warned residents about drinking water from unsafe sources across the city.

At another popular collection site where water flows in the suburb of Woodstock that lies at the foot of Table Mountain, pick-up trucks with empty containers pull over under a bridge as people bend down on the pavement to access the water source.

&ldquo;Desperate times call for desperate measures,&rdquo; said one businessman, who only identified himself as Amien.&nbsp;

Cape Town’s drought is part of a wider climate change pattern seen around the country including Eastern Cape province, where several towns also face water shortages

Hundreds of Cape Town residents are being forced to line up overnight to stock up on water as South Africa’s second largest economic hub and tourism attraction struggle with a severe drought that could see taps turned off in May. The lines are a foretaste of what looks set to become a much bigger problem for the city unless rain falls. On Monday, city officials pushed back “Day Zero” – the day taps could run dry – by a month to May 11 from April 16, as farmers in the water-intensive agriculture sector cut back consumption amid tight restrictions. Last week, dam levels in Western Cape province fell to 24.5 percent from 25.3 percent the previous week and from nearly 38 percent a year ago. Cape Town’s drought is part of a wider climate change pattern seen around the country including Eastern Cape province, where several towns also face water shortages. For hard-pressed residents in the port city of 4 million, fear and anxiety stalk the lines as people consider what might happen when large crowds are forced to line up for emergency water rations at collection points. “I think there is going to be chaos,” said Saleigh van der Schyff, as he inched forward in a long line up where people lined up to collect water from a natural spring in the Newlands suburb. “I hope Day Zero never comes, but I can see with people wanting to come here and the desperation for water, we are soon going to realize that water is more valuable than oil,” he said at 11 pm local time on Monday as a steady stream of people continued to arrive at the spring to fill their containers. The spring runs 24-hours a day and has at least three security guards on duty to keep tempers in check. Cape Town city authorities have previously tested out a water collection site at a soccer field, saying it plans to roll out an estimated 200 such water points across the city. People will line up between metal fences under the gaze of the army and police as they wait in line to fill up their containers. Authorities say each person will be allocated 25 litres of water per day, and have been urging residents of the city to “save water or line up for water” in the run-up to Day Zero. From the beginning of February, residents and visitors will be allocated only 50 litres a day, 7 times less than the average U.S. citizen, according to the World Water Council. “I am extremely worried because of all the negative things that could happen,” said Sharon O‘Connor, a 63-year-old financial assistant as she waited her turn. Close to the brewery spring at Newlands, city officials stepped in after an altercation to access another spring in the area turned violent. One person was arrested, officials said. Worried about diseases spreading, the city has warned residents about drinking water from unsafe sources across the city. At another popular collection site where water flows in the suburb of Woodstock that lies at the foot of Table Mountain, pick-up trucks with empty containers pull over under a bridge as people bend down on the pavement to access the water source. “Desperate times call for desperate measures,” said one businessman, who only identified himself as Amien.

Drought forces some Cape Town residents into midnight queues for water

Environment ministers from about 100 countries gather in Nairobi next week to issue a clarion call against air, land and water pollution blamed for some nine million deaths in 2015.

Ministers under the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) will finalise a global declaration vowing to combat &quot;rampant pollution&quot; as a growing threat to human life, economies and ecosystems.

Seven million of those deaths are caused by car exhaust, factory fumes and indoor cooking, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which hosts the assembly.

Water pollution is the second deadliest type, followed by exposure to toxins and carcinogens in the workplace.

Last month, UNEP said approximately one in six deaths in 2015 were due to pollution, mainly in poor and developing countries.

Almost half of the nine-million death toll came from just two countries - rapidly-industrialising India and China.

The December 4-6 meeting will be the third UNEA, created by world leaders in 2012 to strengthen world efforts to save the environment.

The assembly is the highest-level decision-making forum on environmental issues. All 193 UN states are members.

Nearly 2,500 participants have registered for this year&#39;s gathering, including a host of company CEOs, the heads of other UN agencies, scientists and activists.

The ministers will negotiate the wording for a number of resolutions on specific anti-pollution steps, such as limiting the amount of fish-choking plastic that finds its way into the ocean, and banning the use of toxic lead in paint.

&quot;Our oceans are filling with trash so fast that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the seas than fish,&quot; according to a UNEP statement.

&quot;A global ban on lead in paint is one of several resolutions under discussion at UNEA and, if agreed by ministers, will be a key step in removing an environmental hazard that harms the mental development of 600,000 children every year,&quot; it added.

Other resolutions, still in the draft phase, will aim for stricter air quality control in cities, and to reduce environmental degradation caused by armed conflict.

Pollution, according to the UNEP, is &quot;the biggest human killer bar none.&quot;

&quot;We need to beat pollution before it beats us,&quot; said UNEP head Erik Solheim.

&quot;That means being able to breathe in our cities, keeping dangerous chemicals out of the food chain, and stopping our oceans from being transformed into a plastic soup.&quot;

The assembly must yield a political declaration by Wednesday, entitled &quot;Towards a Pollution-Free Planet&quot;.

It will commit UN member countries to limiting humankind&#39;s soiling of the planet with chemicals, non-biodegradable litter and toxic smoke.

&quot;Nine million people die prematurely every year because of environmental intoxication - this is clearly a moral scandal,&quot; said Joachim Schellnhuber, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.

Aside from outright poisoning, pollution causes an array of deadly ailments such as heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The December 4-6 meeting will be the third UNEA, created by world leaders in 2012 to strengthen world efforts to save the environment

Environment ministers from about 100 countries gather in Nairobi next week to issue a clarion call against air, land and water pollution blamed for some nine million deaths in 2015. Ministers under the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) will finalise a global declaration vowing to combat "rampant pollution" as a growing threat to human life, economies and ecosystems. Seven million of those deaths are caused by car exhaust, factory fumes and indoor cooking, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which hosts the assembly. Water pollution is the second deadliest type, followed by exposure to toxins and carcinogens in the workplace. Last month, UNEP said approximately one in six deaths in 2015 were due to pollution, mainly in poor and developing countries. Almost half of the nine-million death toll came from just two countries - rapidly-industrialising India and China. The December 4-6 meeting will be the third UNEA, created by world leaders in 2012 to strengthen world efforts to save the environment. The assembly is the highest-level decision-making forum on environmental issues. All 193 UN states are members. Nearly 2,500 participants have registered for this year's gathering, including a host of company CEOs, the heads of other UN agencies, scientists and activists. The ministers will negotiate the wording for a number of resolutions on specific anti-pollution steps, such as limiting the amount of fish-choking plastic that finds its way into the ocean, and banning the use of toxic lead in paint. "Our oceans are filling with trash so fast that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the seas than fish," according to a UNEP statement. "A global ban on lead in paint is one of several resolutions under discussion at UNEA and, if agreed by ministers, will be a key step in removing an environmental hazard that harms the mental development of 600,000 children every year," it added. Other resolutions, still in the draft phase, will aim for stricter air quality control in cities, and to reduce environmental degradation caused by armed conflict. Pollution, according to the UNEP, is "the biggest human killer bar none." "We need to beat pollution before it beats us," said UNEP head Erik Solheim. "That means being able to breathe in our cities, keeping dangerous chemicals out of the food chain, and stopping our oceans from being transformed into a plastic soup." The assembly must yield a political declaration by Wednesday, entitled "Towards a Pollution-Free Planet". It will commit UN member countries to limiting humankind's soiling of the planet with chemicals, non-biodegradable litter and toxic smoke. "Nine million people die prematurely every year because of environmental intoxication - this is clearly a moral scandal," said Joachim Schellnhuber, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. Aside from outright poisoning, pollution causes an array of deadly ailments such as heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

UN makes global bid to end 'rampant' pollution

A U.S.-funded famine survey said on Tuesday that thousands of Yemenis could die daily if a Saudi-led military coalition does not lift its blockade on the country&rsquo;s key ports.

The warning came a day after the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said 2.5 million people in Yemen&rsquo;s crowded cities had no access to clean water, raising the risk that a cholera epidemic will spread.

Using the internationally recognized IPC 5-point scale for classifying food security, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) said that even before the current blockade, 15 million people were in &ldquo;crisis&rdquo; (IPC Phase 3) or worse.

&ldquo;Therefore, a prolonged closure of key ports risks an unprecedented deterioration in food security to Famine (IPC Phase 5) across large areas of the country,&rdquo; it said.

It said famine is likely in many areas within three or four months if ports remain closed, with some less accessible areas at even greater risk. In such a scenario, shortages of food and fuel would drive up prices, and a lack of medical supplies would exacerbate life-threatening diseases.

&ldquo;Thousands of deaths would occur each day due to the lack of food and disease outbreaks,&rdquo; said FEWS NET, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Famine remained likely even if the southern port of Aden is open, its report said, adding that all Yemeni ports should be reopened to essential imports.

The United Nations has said the Saudi-led coalition must allow aid in through Hodeidah port, controlled by the Houthis, the Saudis&rsquo; enemies in the war in Yemen. 
U.N. humanitarian agencies have issued dire warnings about the impact of the blockade, although U.N. officials have declined to directly criticise Saudi Arabia.

Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council and a former U.N. aid chief, was blunt in his criticism, however.

&ldquo;US, UK &amp; other allies of Saudi has only weeks to avoid being complicit in a famine of Biblical proportions. Lift the blockade now,&rdquo; he wrote in a tweet.

Last year Saudi Arabia was accused by then U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon of exerting &ldquo;unacceptable&rdquo; undue pressure to keep itself off a blacklist of countries that kill children in conflict, after sources told Reuters that Riyadh had threatened to cut some U.N. funding. Saudi Arabia denied this.

The blockade had been effected by a Saudi-led military coalition

A U.S.-funded famine survey said on Tuesday that thousands of Yemenis could die daily if a Saudi-led military coalition does not lift its blockade on the country’s key ports. The warning came a day after the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said 2.5 million people in Yemen’s crowded cities had no access to clean water, raising the risk that a cholera epidemic will spread. Using the internationally recognized IPC 5-point scale for classifying food security, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) said that even before the current blockade, 15 million people were in “crisis” (IPC Phase 3) or worse. “Therefore, a prolonged closure of key ports risks an unprecedented deterioration in food security to Famine (IPC Phase 5) across large areas of the country,” it said. It said famine is likely in many areas within three or four months if ports remain closed, with some less accessible areas at even greater risk. In such a scenario, shortages of food and fuel would drive up prices, and a lack of medical supplies would exacerbate life-threatening diseases. “Thousands of deaths would occur each day due to the lack of food and disease outbreaks,” said FEWS NET, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. Famine remained likely even if the southern port of Aden is open, its report said, adding that all Yemeni ports should be reopened to essential imports. The United Nations has said the Saudi-led coalition must allow aid in through Hodeidah port, controlled by the Houthis, the Saudis’ enemies in the war in Yemen. U.N. humanitarian agencies have issued dire warnings about the impact of the blockade, although U.N. officials have declined to directly criticise Saudi Arabia. Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council and a former U.N. aid chief, was blunt in his criticism, however. “US, UK & other allies of Saudi has only weeks to avoid being complicit in a famine of Biblical proportions. Lift the blockade now,” he wrote in a tweet. Last year Saudi Arabia was accused by then U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon of exerting “unacceptable” undue pressure to keep itself off a blacklist of countries that kill children in conflict, after sources told Reuters that Riyadh had threatened to cut some U.N. funding. Saudi Arabia denied this.

US famine survey warns of thousands dying daily in Yemen if ports remain closed

The government today strongly condemned United Nations Special Rapporteur (UNSR) on human rights&nbsp;Leo Heller&#39;s statement on the state of safe drinking water and sanitation in India.

In a press release in New Delhi today, Heller had&nbsp;said,&ldquo;Now is a critical time to replace the lens of those glasses (Gandhi&rsquo;s glasses) with the human rights lens&rdquo;, referring to Mahatma Gandhi.&nbsp;

Centre said that world knows that the Mahatma was the foremost proponent of human rights, including for sanitation, his unique and special focus. Gandhiji&rsquo;s glasses, the unique logo of the Swachh Bharat Mission, epitomise core human rights principles.

The government called the report &quot;inaccurate&quot;, &quot;sweeping&quot; and &quot;biased&quot;.&nbsp;

UNSR has been on a visit to India since October 27 which is due to end today.

UNSR alleged that human rights principles have not been properly addressed in India&rsquo;s water and sanitation programmes.

In a statement, the central government rejected his assertions and reiterated that the Swachh Bharat Mission and the rural and urban drinking water programmes fully conformed to the Human Rights criteria and principles as established by the UN system.

In a statement, India said UNSR has failed to acknowledge the paradigm shift in national sanitation policy which has moved from construction of toilets to open defecation free communities and seems to be looking at the SBM from a tinted lens.

The Centre argued that he also attempted to question the findings of a third party, 1,40,000 household national survey by the Quality Council of India that usage of toilets was above 91%, by misleadingly comparing it with a survey of only 1,024 households by Water Aid which focused on toilet technology and not on usage.

The UNSR also claimed that there is inadequate attention and funds for water supply, whereas the reality is that since the launch of the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) in 2009, Rs. 1,20,000 crore has been invested by Centre and states into rural drinking water, and Rs. 40,000 crore has been invested by the central government on urban water supply since 2005, it said.

Centre said that it is committed to human rights in general and particularly in the water supply and sanitation sectors and strongly rejects the claims in the UNSR&rsquo;s report and press statements.

In a press release, Heller had?said,?Now is a critical time to replace the lens of those glasses (Gandhi?s glasses) with the human rights lens?, referring to Mahatma Gandhi.

The government today strongly condemned United Nations Special Rapporteur (UNSR) on human rights Leo Heller's statement on the state of safe drinking water and sanitation in India. In a press release in New Delhi today, Heller had said,“Now is a critical time to replace the lens of those glasses (Gandhi’s glasses) with the human rights lens”, referring to Mahatma Gandhi. Centre said that world knows that the Mahatma was the foremost proponent of human rights, including for sanitation, his unique and special focus. Gandhiji’s glasses, the unique logo of the Swachh Bharat Mission, epitomise core human rights principles. The government called the report "inaccurate", "sweeping" and "biased". UNSR has been on a visit to India since October 27 which is due to end today. UNSR alleged that human rights principles have not been properly addressed in India’s water and sanitation programmes. In a statement, the central government rejected his assertions and reiterated that the Swachh Bharat Mission and the rural and urban drinking water programmes fully conformed to the Human Rights criteria and principles as established by the UN system. In a statement, India said UNSR has failed to acknowledge the paradigm shift in national sanitation policy which has moved from construction of toilets to open defecation free communities and seems to be looking at the SBM from a tinted lens. The Centre argued that he also attempted to question the findings of a third party, 1,40,000 household national survey by the Quality Council of India that usage of toilets was above 91%, by misleadingly comparing it with a survey of only 1,024 households by Water Aid which focused on toilet technology and not on usage. The UNSR also claimed that there is inadequate attention and funds for water supply, whereas the reality is that since the launch of the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) in 2009, Rs. 1,20,000 crore has been invested by Centre and states into rural drinking water, and Rs. 40,000 crore has been invested by the central government on urban water supply since 2005, it said. Centre said that it is committed to human rights in general and particularly in the water supply and sanitation sectors and strongly rejects the claims in the UNSR’s report and press statements.

Government rejects UNSR report on water and sanitation programmes in India

Kewalbai Rathod, 60, is operating a heavy handpump. Every forceful draw is accompanied by a grunt, the veins in her forearm standing out, the wrinkles on her face deepening. For all her effort, the water barely trickles into the pot. Several villagers await their turn. And the pump might run out of water at any time.

An hour later, at around 5 p.m., Kewalbai has managed to fill two pots. Her husband Ramu, 65, sits on a nearby rock, gazing into space. &ldquo;Zaala re (It is done),&rdquo; Kewalbai calls out in Marathi, and Ramu stands up, but does not move. She picks up one pot and walks up to him to hand it over. He parks it safely on his shoulder, while Kewalbai picks up the other. She then takes his hand and places it on her shoulder, and the two begin to walk towards their home. &ldquo;He is blind,&rdquo; she explains, looking at my puzzled face.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/uncle%20aunty-20170829060649.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
&#39;He is blind&#39;, Kewalbai explains as she leads her husband Ramu uphill to their home in Kashiram Somala. They ferry water which she has painstakingly filled before they return for more. Photo Credit: Parth M.N. (Others)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

The hand pump atop a borewell is at the foot of the hilly hamlet of Kashiram Somala in Udgir taluka of Maharashtra&#39;s Latur district. Every trip entails a 15-minute walk up the hill. Each pot can hold around 12 litres of water and, when full, would weigh nearly 12 kilos. Kewalbai leads Ramu up and down the rocky pathway several times a day. &ldquo;We are a family of seven,&rdquo; she says, on reaching their house at the corner of the hill. &ldquo;I have three sons, two are married. All of them go out in search of work [as agricultural labourers or at construction sites in Udgir town] early in the morning. Fetching water, therefore, falls upon the two of us.&rdquo;

The family owns neither farmland nor livestock. The daily wages of their sons and daughters-in-law sustain the household. &ldquo;Ten pots a day [each containing 12-15 litres is what we target. The two of us make five such trips every day,&rdquo; says Ramu. &ldquo;We only need water for our basic needs like cooking, washing and bathing. Those who farmland and rear livestock have to work even harder.&rdquo;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/2%20photos-20170829061705.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Left: Kewalbai, 60, washes her pots before filling them with water. Right: Her husband Ramu sits by as she works the handpump. Photo Credit: Parth M.N. (Others)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

When I meet Shalubai Chavan, 40, at her home at 11.30 a.m., she has already spent five hours collecting water. She belongs to a Banjara (Scheduled Tribe) family of five, with two acres of farmland. &ldquo;Our main source of income is milk products,&rdquo; she says. &ldquo;We rear two bulls, three cows and four buffaloes. Maintaining the livestock requires a lot of water.We need over 20 pots a day.&rdquo;

Shalubai lives right along the curved road on the hill in Kashiram Somala, and has to walk a few minutes before descending towards the handpump. &ldquo;There were two handpumps at the start of the summer,&rdquo; she recollects while washing clothes outside her home. &ldquo;But one broke down. Now the entire hamlet of 400 people depends on a single handpump. Even in this heat [of May], there is a bit of guilt if I drink the water. The collector started supplying water through tankers, but they are irregular and we cannot rely on them.&rdquo;

This is why pots are lined up at the hand pump before dawn. &ldquo;Fetching water after sunrise, with temperatures crossing 40 degrees [Celsius], is really exhausting,&rdquo; says Shalubai, who is in the queue with four pots every morning at 4 a.m. &ldquo;Still, the line is unending. I fill 12-15 pots in the morning and 5-8in the evening between 4 and 7. Waiting for my turn takes three hours, and the trips back and forth another two hours. It is 9 a.m. before I begin my household chores.&rdquo;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/untitled%20designkjkjkjkjkjkj-20170829062720.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Shalubai spends a third of the day filling water; the rest goes in household chores and taking care of her family. Photo Credit: Parth M.N. (Others)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Five hours in the morning and three hours late-afternoon &ndash; Shalubai spends eight hours of her day fetching water for the family. This is not uncommon: a National Commission for Women report states that women in rural households often spend 6-9 hours a day on water duties. Eight hours of farm labour would earn Shalubai Rs. 200, the standard daily wage here. The three summer months, March to May cost her around Rs. 18,000 every year.

Besides income and time, the losses due to this gruelling work, invariably done by women and girls in rural India, include the impact on health and on education for girls. While women do various farming-related tasks too, they remain the principal water collectors in the household. &nbsp;Men and boys barely contribute to this arduous physical task. The National Sample Survey (NSSO; 69th round, 2012) notes that when drinking water had to be fetched from a distance, women did this work in 84.1 per cent of rural households, and men in 14.1 per cent.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/untitled%20designlklklkklklklklklllklklk-20170829064126.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Left: The scarcity of water and fodder affects the livestock in Shalibai&#39;s household. Right: The small tank in her courtyard that is running dry. Photo Credit: Parth M.N. (Others)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Shalubai&#39;s husband Rajaram too uses the water she has fetched to get ready and go to the farm. &ldquo;This season at least I come back with water after eight hours,&rdquo; Shalubai says. &ldquo;Last year&rsquo;s situation was so grim, I would walk for hours and come back empty-handed. I once walked 20 kilometres to get fodder for my livestock.&rdquo;

Shalubai gets no respite between her two water-fetching sessions. &ldquo;Two of my sons are in school,&rdquo; she says. &ldquo;I have to look after them, get them ready for school. Besides, I cook for the family, wash clothes and utensils, and manage the household.&rdquo;

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/us-T5nTBHok" width="560"></iframe>

Watch video: &#39;I leave my house at 4 a.m. and stand in the queue,&#39; Shalubai describes how her day begins

Around 150 kilometres from Udgir, in Takwiki village in Osmanabad district, Prayagbai Dolare has her own set of problems.&nbsp;

Nearly 70, Dolare is a Dalit who has faced discrimination for most of her life. &ldquo;It has been better in the last few years,&rdquo; she quips, on her way to fetch water through farmlands. &ldquo;Several water sources used to be close to me. I would often be the last in any queue.There is still one public well in the village where I am not allowed to go.&rdquo;

In her family, Dolare is responsible for water as well as daily wages. &ldquo;We do not have any kids,&rdquo; she says, her saree wrapped around her head in an attempt to minimise the effect of the heat.The temperature is touching 45 degrees Celsius. &ldquo;My husband is handicapped. He cannot walk, and can hardly work as a labourer.&rdquo;

Three days a week, Dolare spends four to five hours storing enough water to last for seven days. &ldquo;We manage with 30-35 pots a week,&rdquo; she says. The water source, a private borewell, is about a kilometre from her home. &ldquo;I cannot carry more than one pot at a time. At my age, it takes at least half-an-hour for every pot.&rdquo;

The rest of the week, Dolare works as an agricultural labourer; because of her age, she earns only Rs.100 &nbsp;a day. &ldquo;We are pulling along somehow, but what will we do once I am unable to work?&rdquo; On the three days she spends fetching water, she forgoes her daily wages, cutting down her potential weekly income by half.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2wZQANl8vgY" width="560"></iframe>

Watch video: &#39;I keep my hand on her shoulder and we walk. This is a bad time for water. What can I do? &#39; Ramu says about his trip to and from the hand pump each day

Takwiki, like most villages in the eight districts that constitute the Marathwada region of Maharashtra, has an acute water scarcity in summer, when the wells, ponds, lakes and dams usually run dry. This is also the period when panic-stricken farmers sink borewells everywhere, in the hope of finding a private source of water. If a family is lucky enough to drill a borewell at the right spot, they become water-independent, and can even start a lucrative trade.

Many in Marathwada milk the water crisis by selling water for Rs.2-4 for every12-15 litre pot. Dolare pays Rs.2 for a pot. &ldquo;That is 70 rupees of water per week,&rdquo; she says. A little less than a fourth of what she earns in seven days. If the scarcity deepens, she could end up paying much higher rates.

Around 250 kilometres north of Takwiki, however, roughly 3 million litres of water per day (MLD) are available at just 4 paise per litre to the 16 beer factories and distilleries operating in Aurangabad. Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) officials insist the beer companies are charged Rs.42 but don&rsquo;t add that this is for every 1,000 litres.

Dolare would have to pay more than three times as much for 1,000 litres of water and walk for 35 hours to collect that water.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/dirty%20water-20170829065739.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Left: Many villagers gather at to fill water at the hand pump at Kahiram Somala village every morning. Right: A young woman fills her bucket with dirty water fearing that the hand pump might give in anytime. Photo Credit: Parth M.N. (Others)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

In April 2016, following a disastrous drought, the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court ordered a 50 per cent water cut for the breweries, which were collectively guzzling 5.207 MLD of water. &ldquo;When people had not seen water for days, it was inhuman that breweries were guzzling the precious resource,&rdquo; the bench said.

Back in Kashiram Somala, Kewalbai empties two pots of water into a drum. The farmlands around her are empty for now, but a crowd has gathered around the hand pump, as always. She takes Ramu by the hand, picks up the two empty pots, and they begin another trip down the hill.

Photo Credit: Parth M.N.

This <a href="https://ruralindiaonline.org/articles/even-in-the-heat-there-is-some-guilt-if-i-drink-the-water.../">article </a>was originally published on&nbsp;June 29, 2017, on the&nbsp;<a href="https://ruralindiaonline.org/">People&#39;s Archive of Rural India</a>.&nbsp;

With the fear that hand pump might give up, some women fill buckets with dirty water instead, this is a grim reality of Kashiram Somala village.

Kewalbai Rathod, 60, is operating a heavy handpump. Every forceful draw is accompanied by a grunt, the veins in her forearm standing out, the wrinkles on her face deepening. For all her effort, the water barely trickles into the pot. Several villagers await their turn. And the pump might run out of water at any time. An hour later, at around 5 p.m., Kewalbai has managed to fill two pots. Her husband Ramu, 65, sits on a nearby rock, gazing into space. “Zaala re (It is done),” Kewalbai calls out in Marathi, and Ramu stands up, but does not move. She picks up one pot and walks up to him to hand it over. He parks it safely on his shoulder, while Kewalbai picks up the other. She then takes his hand and places it on her shoulder, and the two begin to walk towards their home. “He is blind,” she explains, looking at my puzzled face. 'He is blind', Kewalbai explains as she leads her husband Ramu uphill to their home in Kashiram Somala. They ferry water which she has painstakingly filled before they return for more. Photo Credit: Parth M.N. (Others) × The hand pump atop a borewell is at the foot of the hilly hamlet of Kashiram Somala in Udgir taluka of Maharashtra's Latur district. Every trip entails a 15-minute walk up the hill. Each pot can hold around 12 litres of water and, when full, would weigh nearly 12 kilos. Kewalbai leads Ramu up and down the rocky pathway several times a day. “We are a family of seven,” she says, on reaching their house at the corner of the hill. “I have three sons, two are married. All of them go out in search of work [as agricultural labourers or at construction sites in Udgir town] early in the morning. Fetching water, therefore, falls upon the two of us.” The family owns neither farmland nor livestock. The daily wages of their sons and daughters-in-law sustain the household. “Ten pots a day [each containing 12-15 litres is what we target. The two of us make five such trips every day,” says Ramu. “We only need water for our basic needs like cooking, washing and bathing. Those who farmland and rear livestock have to work even harder.” Left: Kewalbai, 60, washes her pots before filling them with water. Right: Her husband Ramu sits by as she works the handpump. Photo Credit: Parth M.N. (Others) × When I meet Shalubai Chavan, 40, at her home at 11.30 a.m., she has already spent five hours collecting water. She belongs to a Banjara (Scheduled Tribe) family of five, with two acres of farmland. “Our main source of income is milk products,” she says. “We rear two bulls, three cows and four buffaloes. Maintaining the livestock requires a lot of water.We need over 20 pots a day.” Shalubai lives right along the curved road on the hill in Kashiram Somala, and has to walk a few minutes before descending towards the handpump. “There were two handpumps at the start of the summer,” she recollects while washing clothes outside her home. “But one broke down. Now the entire hamlet of 400 people depends on a single handpump. Even in this heat [of May], there is a bit of guilt if I drink the water. The collector started supplying water through tankers, but they are irregular and we cannot rely on them.” This is why pots are lined up at the hand pump before dawn. “Fetching water after sunrise, with temperatures crossing 40 degrees [Celsius], is really exhausting,” says Shalubai, who is in the queue with four pots every morning at 4 a.m. “Still, the line is unending. I fill 12-15 pots in the morning and 5-8in the evening between 4 and 7. Waiting for my turn takes three hours, and the trips back and forth another two hours. It is 9 a.m. before I begin my household chores.” Shalubai spends a third of the day filling water; the rest goes in household chores and taking care of her family. Photo Credit: Parth M.N. (Others) × Five hours in the morning and three hours late-afternoon – Shalubai spends eight hours of her day fetching water for the family. This is not uncommon: a National Commission for Women report states that women in rural households often spend 6-9 hours a day on water duties. Eight hours of farm labour would earn Shalubai Rs. 200, the standard daily wage here. The three summer months, March to May cost her around Rs. 18,000 every year. Besides income and time, the losses due to this gruelling work, invariably done by women and girls in rural India, include the impact on health and on education for girls. While women do various farming-related tasks too, they remain the principal water collectors in the household. Men and boys barely contribute to this arduous physical task. The National Sample Survey (NSSO; 69th round, 2012) notes that when drinking water had to be fetched from a distance, women did this work in 84.1 per cent of rural households, and men in 14.1 per cent. Left: The scarcity of water and fodder affects the livestock in Shalibai's household. Right: The small tank in her courtyard that is running dry. Photo Credit: Parth M.N. (Others) × Shalubai's husband Rajaram too uses the water she has fetched to get ready and go to the farm. “This season at least I come back with water after eight hours,” Shalubai says. “Last year’s situation was so grim, I would walk for hours and come back empty-handed. I once walked 20 kilometres to get fodder for my livestock.” Shalubai gets no respite between her two water-fetching sessions. “Two of my sons are in school,” she says. “I have to look after them, get them ready for school. Besides, I cook for the family, wash clothes and utensils, and manage the household.” Watch video: 'I leave my house at 4 a.m. and stand in the queue,' Shalubai describes how her day begins Around 150 kilometres from Udgir, in Takwiki village in Osmanabad district, Prayagbai Dolare has her own set of problems. Nearly 70, Dolare is a Dalit who has faced discrimination for most of her life. “It has been better in the last few years,” she quips, on her way to fetch water through farmlands. “Several water sources used to be close to me. I would often be the last in any queue.There is still one public well in the village where I am not allowed to go.” In her family, Dolare is responsible for water as well as daily wages. “We do not have any kids,” she says, her saree wrapped around her head in an attempt to minimise the effect of the heat.The temperature is touching 45 degrees Celsius. “My husband is handicapped. He cannot walk, and can hardly work as a labourer.” Three days a week, Dolare spends four to five hours storing enough water to last for seven days. “We manage with 30-35 pots a week,” she says. The water source, a private borewell, is about a kilometre from her home. “I cannot carry more than one pot at a time. At my age, it takes at least half-an-hour for every pot.” The rest of the week, Dolare works as an agricultural labourer; because of her age, she earns only Rs.100 a day. “We are pulling along somehow, but what will we do once I am unable to work?” On the three days she spends fetching water, she forgoes her daily wages, cutting down her potential weekly income by half. Watch video: 'I keep my hand on her shoulder and we walk. This is a bad time for water. What can I do? ' Ramu says about his trip to and from the hand pump each day Takwiki, like most villages in the eight districts that constitute the Marathwada region of Maharashtra, has an acute water scarcity in summer, when the wells, ponds, lakes and dams usually run dry. This is also the period when panic-stricken farmers sink borewells everywhere, in the hope of finding a private source of water. If a family is lucky enough to drill a borewell at the right spot, they become water-independent, and can even start a lucrative trade. Many in Marathwada milk the water crisis by selling water for Rs.2-4 for every12-15 litre pot. Dolare pays Rs.2 for a pot. “That is 70 rupees of water per week,” she says. A little less than a fourth of what she earns in seven days. If the scarcity deepens, she could end up paying much higher rates. Around 250 kilometres north of Takwiki, however, roughly 3 million litres of water per day (MLD) are available at just 4 paise per litre to the 16 beer factories and distilleries operating in Aurangabad. Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) officials insist the beer companies are charged Rs.42 but don’t add that this is for every 1,000 litres. Dolare would have to pay more than three times as much for 1,000 litres of water and walk for 35 hours to collect that water. Left: Many villagers gather at to fill water at the hand pump at Kahiram Somala village every morning. Right: A young woman fills her bucket with dirty water fearing that the hand pump might give in anytime. Photo Credit: Parth M.N. (Others) × In April 2016, following a disastrous drought, the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court ordered a 50 per cent water cut for the breweries, which were collectively guzzling 5.207 MLD of water. “When people had not seen water for days, it was inhuman that breweries were guzzling the precious resource,” the bench said. Back in Kashiram Somala, Kewalbai empties two pots of water into a drum. The farmlands around her are empty for now, but a crowd has gathered around the hand pump, as always. She takes Ramu by the hand, picks up the two empty pots, and they begin another trip down the hill. Photo Credit: Parth M.N. This article was originally published on June 29, 2017, on the People's Archive of Rural India.

?Even in the heat, there is some guilt if I drink the water??

Around&nbsp;500,000 civilians in Mosul are facing a drinking water shortage, the UN warned&nbsp;as Iraqi forces advance against the Islamic State (IS) group in the city.

In addition to the severe lack of food and electricity, civilians are now running out of drinkable water, Lise Grande, UN humanitarian coordinator in Iraq told AFP.

Iraqi troops and allied forces launched an offensive last month to retake Mosul from the IS more than two years ago.

Weeks of fighting have among other things destroyed a major water pipeline in the city, the UN children&#39;s agency 
UNICEF said.

Water was cut to 650,000 people - 40 per cent of the total population in the city - a local official told Reuters.

f the pipeline is not repaired, residents will be forced to consume unhealthy water, exposing them to dangerous diseases.

Residents in east Mosul have resorted to pumping water from wells.

Since the launch of the assault since October, more than 70,000 people have fled the fighting, but more than a million people are estimated to still reside in the city.

A hospital in Gogjali on the eastern outskirts of Mosul has already begun to get patients with diarrhoea and intestinal cramps, a medical source told AFP.

Some residents blamed the US-led coalition backing Iraqi forces for its warplanes damaging the main pipeline but an official with the Mosul municipality&nbsp;suggested that the IS may have intentionally stopped the flow.

Iraqi forces have told civilians to stay at home in order to avoid massive displacement from the city.

Deputy UN&nbsp;High Commissioner for Human Rights Kate Gilmore said that&nbsp;there were reports that Islamic State shot dead 27 civilians in public in Mosul&#39;s Muhandiseen Park last week.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

In addition to the severe lack of food and electricity, civilians are now running out of drinkable water

Around 500,000 civilians in Mosul are facing a drinking water shortage, the UN warned as Iraqi forces advance against the Islamic State (IS) group in the city. In addition to the severe lack of food and electricity, civilians are now running out of drinkable water, Lise Grande, UN humanitarian coordinator in Iraq told AFP. Iraqi troops and allied forces launched an offensive last month to retake Mosul from the IS more than two years ago. Weeks of fighting have among other things destroyed a major water pipeline in the city, the UN children's agency UNICEF said. Water was cut to 650,000 people - 40 per cent of the total population in the city - a local official told Reuters. f the pipeline is not repaired, residents will be forced to consume unhealthy water, exposing them to dangerous diseases. Residents in east Mosul have resorted to pumping water from wells. Since the launch of the assault since October, more than 70,000 people have fled the fighting, but more than a million people are estimated to still reside in the city. A hospital in Gogjali on the eastern outskirts of Mosul has already begun to get patients with diarrhoea and intestinal cramps, a medical source told AFP. Some residents blamed the US-led coalition backing Iraqi forces for its warplanes damaging the main pipeline but an official with the Mosul municipality suggested that the IS may have intentionally stopped the flow. Iraqi forces have told civilians to stay at home in order to avoid massive displacement from the city. Deputy UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Kate Gilmore said that there were reports that Islamic State shot dead 27 civilians in public in Mosul's Muhandiseen Park last week. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Mosul food, water reserves dwindle as fighting cuts off supplies

Pedro and Mohamed await every utility bill with much angst. To reduce the money they have to pay, they live in the dark, without heating, or shower just once a week -- victims like millions in Spain of energy poverty.

Welfare associations have for years warned against this situation, but the death earlier this month of 81-year-old Rosa in a fire caused by a candle she used for light has brought the issue firmly to the fore. Socialist lawmaker Pilar Lucio asked the ruling conservative government to immediately implement a &quot;winter truce&quot; on companies cutting power to those who cannot pay -- a measure with majority support in parliament and encouraged in a 2009 EU directive.

Last year, according to Spain&#39;s National Statistics Institute, 10.6 per cent of Spaniards were unable to properly heat their homes -- or more than four million people -- compared to just 5.9 per cent in 2008, when an economic crisis kicked off. At fault are the economic crisis and widespread loss of jobs it caused, as well as a 30- to 50-per cent rise in utility prices since 2006.

&nbsp;

&quot;Luxury&quot; items

Pedro Martinez, 48, has been in this situation for several years. Unemployed since 2013, when the furniture company he was working for closed, he survives on a pension of 426 euros ($450) a month, and what remains of the compensation he received for being fired.

Divorced, he lives with his 20-year-old son and 23-year-old mentally impaired daughter in a working-class district of Barcelona, without heating and using electric light only when absolutely necessary.

&quot;It&#39;s tough in winter. We just have an electric heater, which we rarely switch on for fear of the bill,&quot; he says. &quot;The cold chills you to the bone. We wear coats and at night we use all the blankets we have.&quot;

Tere Bermudez, spokeswoman for the Roman Catholic charity Caritas, says that &quot;for many families, water, light and gas are luxury items&quot;. She says that from 2007 to 2015, the organisation multiplied by 30 the number of utility bills it helped pay.

One of its beneficiaries is Mohamed Chairi, a 37-year-old Moroccan. Unemployed, his family lives off the monthly 250 euros from his wife&#39;s cleaning work as well as help from charities. &quot;We shower once a week, on Fridays, so that the kids are clean at the weekend,&quot; the father-of-three says.

In the corner of the living room of his small flat in Badalona near Barcelona, his youngest son plays with a broken electric radiator. Chairi has just received his electricity bill -- 24 euros for the month, a small sum for Spain but huge for him. &quot;The rent alone is 440 euros,&quot; he says. &quot;If I have to suffer from hunger or go without light or water, I don&#39;t care, but the kids...&quot;.

&nbsp;

Burning canvas shoes

According to the European Commission, Spain&#39;s gas and electricity prices were the third and fourth highest respectively in the European Union last year. &quot;We are above the European average (in terms of fuel poverty) despite having much better weather,&quot; says Jose Luis Lopez, spokesman for the Association of Environmental Science. There is no nationwide law on the issue, but several regions have implemented measures to try and address it.

In the northeastern region of Catalonia, for instance, a law stipulates that utility companies must notify social services before cutting electricity or gas, and if the family or person struggling to pay is classified as vulnerable, they are banned from doing so. But the law is not always respected, as was the case for Rosa, with utility firm Gas Natural acknowledging it had not contacted social services.

Lopez estimates that some 7,100 people die every year due to fuel poverty. Firefighters in Catalonia have also warned of the security risks involved.

&quot;We have come across people heating themselves with small fires made from newspapers or even canvas shoes,&quot; said union spokesman Antonio del Rio. Spain may be emerging from the crisis, but at least 600,000 households saw their electricity supply cut off last year, according to the Facua consumer association.

&quot;There&#39;s a lot of talk about recovery, but on the street you don&#39;t see it anywhere,&quot; said Pedro Martinez.

(AFP)

The economic crisis, widespread job loss and the soaring costs of energy have all conspired to put millions in Spain into energy poverty

Pedro and Mohamed await every utility bill with much angst. To reduce the money they have to pay, they live in the dark, without heating, or shower just once a week -- victims like millions in Spain of energy poverty. Welfare associations have for years warned against this situation, but the death earlier this month of 81-year-old Rosa in a fire caused by a candle she used for light has brought the issue firmly to the fore. Socialist lawmaker Pilar Lucio asked the ruling conservative government to immediately implement a "winter truce" on companies cutting power to those who cannot pay -- a measure with majority support in parliament and encouraged in a 2009 EU directive. Last year, according to Spain's National Statistics Institute, 10.6 per cent of Spaniards were unable to properly heat their homes -- or more than four million people -- compared to just 5.9 per cent in 2008, when an economic crisis kicked off. At fault are the economic crisis and widespread loss of jobs it caused, as well as a 30- to 50-per cent rise in utility prices since 2006. "Luxury" items Pedro Martinez, 48, has been in this situation for several years. Unemployed since 2013, when the furniture company he was working for closed, he survives on a pension of 426 euros ($450) a month, and what remains of the compensation he received for being fired. Divorced, he lives with his 20-year-old son and 23-year-old mentally impaired daughter in a working-class district of Barcelona, without heating and using electric light only when absolutely necessary. "It's tough in winter. We just have an electric heater, which we rarely switch on for fear of the bill," he says. "The cold chills you to the bone. We wear coats and at night we use all the blankets we have." Tere Bermudez, spokeswoman for the Roman Catholic charity Caritas, says that "for many families, water, light and gas are luxury items". She says that from 2007 to 2015, the organisation multiplied by 30 the number of utility bills it helped pay. One of its beneficiaries is Mohamed Chairi, a 37-year-old Moroccan. Unemployed, his family lives off the monthly 250 euros from his wife's cleaning work as well as help from charities. "We shower once a week, on Fridays, so that the kids are clean at the weekend," the father-of-three says. In the corner of the living room of his small flat in Badalona near Barcelona, his youngest son plays with a broken electric radiator. Chairi has just received his electricity bill -- 24 euros for the month, a small sum for Spain but huge for him. "The rent alone is 440 euros," he says. "If I have to suffer from hunger or go without light or water, I don't care, but the kids...". Burning canvas shoes According to the European Commission, Spain's gas and electricity prices were the third and fourth highest respectively in the European Union last year. "We are above the European average (in terms of fuel poverty) despite having much better weather," says Jose Luis Lopez, spokesman for the Association of Environmental Science. There is no nationwide law on the issue, but several regions have implemented measures to try and address it. In the northeastern region of Catalonia, for instance, a law stipulates that utility companies must notify social services before cutting electricity or gas, and if the family or person struggling to pay is classified as vulnerable, they are banned from doing so. But the law is not always respected, as was the case for Rosa, with utility firm Gas Natural acknowledging it had not contacted social services. Lopez estimates that some 7,100 people die every year due to fuel poverty. Firefighters in Catalonia have also warned of the security risks involved. "We have come across people heating themselves with small fires made from newspapers or even canvas shoes," said union spokesman Antonio del Rio. Spain may be emerging from the crisis, but at least 600,000 households saw their electricity supply cut off last year, according to the Facua consumer association. "There's a lot of talk about recovery, but on the street you don't see it anywhere," said Pedro Martinez. (AFP)

Light, water, heat a luxury in Spain

The southern Indian state of Karnataka tonight decided to convene a legislature session on October 3 to take a call on the directive of the Indian Supreme Court&#39;s order regarding releasing of the Cauvery waters.

The top court had ordered Karnataka to release 6,000 cusecs of water to the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu every day from October 1 to 6. The court had also ordered the formation of the Cauvery Water Management Board by October 4. Karnataka has questioned the board&#39;s authority and decided to file a review petition in this regard on Monday.

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah told reporters on Saturday that an all-party meeting &quot;has told us not to release the water. We have to go back to the legislature.&quot;

He also said that the state would question the formation of the water management board.

&quot;We have not defied the orders of the Supreme Court... There is no wilful disobedience or deliberate disobedience,&quot; Siddaramaiah was reported as saying by PTI.

He said that procedures under the Inter-State Water Dispute Act, 1956 had to be followed and the issue has to be placed before Parliament.

&quot;We should not obey the Supreme Court order at any cost as it is unimplementable. The House (legislature) decision should be upheld. The government should stick to the decision,&quot; opposition leader in the state assembly Jagadish Shettar was reported as saying.

&nbsp;

Meanwhile, former prime minister H D Deve Gowda today began an &quot;indefinite&quot; fast seeking &quot;justice&quot; for Karnataka but called it off towards the end of the day after union ministers Ananth Kumar and D V Sadananda Gowda and opposition BJP leader in the assembly Jagadish Shettar made an appeal to him.

(WION with inputs from PTI)

The state has questioned the constitution of the Cauvery Water Management Board and decided to file a review petition

The southern Indian state of Karnataka tonight decided to convene a legislature session on October 3 to take a call on the directive of the Indian Supreme Court's order regarding releasing of the Cauvery waters. The top court had ordered Karnataka to release 6,000 cusecs of water to the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu every day from October 1 to 6. The court had also ordered the formation of the Cauvery Water Management Board by October 4. Karnataka has questioned the board's authority and decided to file a review petition in this regard on Monday. Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah told reporters on Saturday that an all-party meeting "has told us not to release the water. We have to go back to the legislature." He also said that the state would question the formation of the water management board. "We have not defied the orders of the Supreme Court... There is no wilful disobedience or deliberate disobedience," Siddaramaiah was reported as saying by PTI. He said that procedures under the Inter-State Water Dispute Act, 1956 had to be followed and the issue has to be placed before Parliament. "We should not obey the Supreme Court order at any cost as it is unimplementable. The House (legislature) decision should be upheld. The government should stick to the decision," opposition leader in the state assembly Jagadish Shettar was reported as saying. Meanwhile, former prime minister H D Deve Gowda today began an "indefinite" fast seeking "justice" for Karnataka but called it off towards the end of the day after union ministers Ananth Kumar and D V Sadananda Gowda and opposition BJP leader in the assembly Jagadish Shettar made an appeal to him. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Cauvery dispute: Karnataka calls legislature session to decide on Indian Supreme Court's order

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has fired five ministers, according to an official decree, in a move that removed figures known for close ties to ex-rebel leader Riek Machar. 
 
Under a peace agreement signed in August 2015, Kiir headed the government while Machar was given the position of first vice president. Thirty ministerial posts were distributed between their two parties and others. 
 
But a presidential decree issued on Tuesday showed that cabinet posts including the interior and petroleum portfolios in the oil-rich state had been filled with allies of the new vice president, Taban Deng Gai. 
 
Deng, who leads a faction of Machar&#39;s SPLM/A (IO) party, was named vice president by Kiir after being fired as a minister by his own party leader.&nbsp;Among those removed were water resources minister Mabior Garang, the son of the figurehead of South Sudan&#39;s independence movement, and the minister for higher education, Peter Adwok, an influential ex-rebel. 
 
Their sacking strains the delicate balance of ethnicities in the government, analysts said.&nbsp;Garang is an opposition figure but a Dinka like the president, while Adwok is a Shilluk, a group which has now lost an important voice in government. 
 
Kiir did however retain powerful rebel figure Alfred Lado Gore in his government, moving him from the interior ministry to housing.&nbsp;Machar ally Gore hails from the Equatoria region, where the capital, Juba, is located and which is seen as a hotbed for opposition recruitment. 
 
The move also comes just days after Lam Akol, a minister representing another opposition grouping, resigned with the intention of organising the government`s opponents into a more consolidated force, he said, while declaring the peace deal dead. 
 
South Sudan&#39;s political tensions date back to December 2013, just over two years after the state achieved independence from Sudan. 
 
Kiir accused Machar of planning a coup, setting off a cycle of retaliatory killings that degenerated into a ruinous civil war. &nbsp;The two agreed a peace deal and power-sharing arrangement in August 2015, but problems have lurked beneath the surface. 
 
Renewed fighting in July led the UN Security Council to consider a visit this month to Sudan and South Sudan to push for a return to peace efforts. Machar has not returned to Juba since the clashes. 
 
(AFP)

Among those removed were water resources minister Mabior Garang and the minister for higher education, Peter Adwok

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has fired five ministers, according to an official decree, in a move that removed figures known for close ties to ex-rebel leader Riek Machar. Under a peace agreement signed in August 2015, Kiir headed the government while Machar was given the position of first vice president. Thirty ministerial posts were distributed between their two parties and others. But a presidential decree issued on Tuesday showed that cabinet posts including the interior and petroleum portfolios in the oil-rich state had been filled with allies of the new vice president, Taban Deng Gai. Deng, who leads a faction of Machar's SPLM/A (IO) party, was named vice president by Kiir after being fired as a minister by his own party leader. Among those removed were water resources minister Mabior Garang, the son of the figurehead of South Sudan's independence movement, and the minister for higher education, Peter Adwok, an influential ex-rebel. Their sacking strains the delicate balance of ethnicities in the government, analysts said. Garang is an opposition figure but a Dinka like the president, while Adwok is a Shilluk, a group which has now lost an important voice in government. Kiir did however retain powerful rebel figure Alfred Lado Gore in his government, moving him from the interior ministry to housing. Machar ally Gore hails from the Equatoria region, where the capital, Juba, is located and which is seen as a hotbed for opposition recruitment. The move also comes just days after Lam Akol, a minister representing another opposition grouping, resigned with the intention of organising the government`s opponents into a more consolidated force, he said, while declaring the peace deal dead. South Sudan's political tensions date back to December 2013, just over two years after the state achieved independence from Sudan. Kiir accused Machar of planning a coup, setting off a cycle of retaliatory killings that degenerated into a ruinous civil war. The two agreed a peace deal and power-sharing arrangement in August 2015, but problems have lurked beneath the surface. Renewed fighting in July led the UN Security Council to consider a visit this month to Sudan and South Sudan to push for a return to peace efforts. Machar has not returned to Juba since the clashes. (AFP)

South Sudan leader fires 5 ministers close to ex-rebel leader

Pakistan will move the International Court of Arbitration (ICA) to restrain India from building two major hydropower projects on Jhelum and Chenab, the two rivers assigned to Islamabad under the 1960s Indus Waters Treaty. 
 
&quot;Pakistan to move international court of arbitration,&quot; tweeted federal minister for water and power Khwaja Mohammad Asif, who also holds the portfolio of federal minister for defence. 
 
An eight-member delegation led by secretary water and power Mohammad Younas Dagha is presently in New Delhi for final talks on resolving the dispute bilaterally or to seek arbitration, Dawn reported. 
 
Asif said the talks for two and a half years with India on the resolution of Pakistan&#39;s objections regarding Kishanganga and Ratle Hydroelectric projects have failed. 
 
&quot;Pakistan with consent of stakeholders decided to take it to full court of arbitration,&quot; he said adding that India has invited Pakistan to discuss points of dispute over the Indus Waters Treaty. 
 
Under the treaty, in case the parties fail to resolve water disputes through bilateral means, the aggrieved party has the option to invoke the jurisdiction of the ICA or the neutral expert under the auspices of the World Bank. 
 
An official said Pakistan feels its water rights are being violated by India on two rivers, the Chenab and Jhelum, through a faulty design of 850 megawatt Ratle Hydropower Project, and 330 megawatt Kishanganga Hydropower, respectively. 
 
Pakistan believes the Indian design of the Ratle project would reduce Chenab water flow by 40 per cent at Head Marala and cause irrigation loss to crops. 
 
(ANI)

Pakistan feels Indian water projects would reduce the flow of its river, causing damage to crops

Pakistan will move the International Court of Arbitration (ICA) to restrain India from building two major hydropower projects on Jhelum and Chenab, the two rivers assigned to Islamabad under the 1960s Indus Waters Treaty. "Pakistan to move international court of arbitration," tweeted federal minister for water and power Khwaja Mohammad Asif, who also holds the portfolio of federal minister for defence. An eight-member delegation led by secretary water and power Mohammad Younas Dagha is presently in New Delhi for final talks on resolving the dispute bilaterally or to seek arbitration, Dawn reported. Asif said the talks for two and a half years with India on the resolution of Pakistan's objections regarding Kishanganga and Ratle Hydroelectric projects have failed. "Pakistan with consent of stakeholders decided to take it to full court of arbitration," he said adding that India has invited Pakistan to discuss points of dispute over the Indus Waters Treaty. Under the treaty, in case the parties fail to resolve water disputes through bilateral means, the aggrieved party has the option to invoke the jurisdiction of the ICA or the neutral expert under the auspices of the World Bank. An official said Pakistan feels its water rights are being violated by India on two rivers, the Chenab and Jhelum, through a faulty design of 850 megawatt Ratle Hydropower Project, and 330 megawatt Kishanganga Hydropower, respectively. Pakistan believes the Indian design of the Ratle project would reduce Chenab water flow by 40 per cent at Head Marala and cause irrigation loss to crops. (ANI)

Pakistan to seek arbitration with India over water dispute

At least 17 million women and girls in Africa collect water every day, which increases their risk of sexual abuse, disease and dropping out of school, a study published recently has found.

It is one of the first studies to calculate how many women and children were responsible for water collection in Africa, the researchers said.

Using datasets from the World Bank, the UN&nbsp;children&#39;s agency UNICEF, and the US&nbsp;Agency for International Development, researchers found that around 3 million children and 14 million women collect water in sub-Saharan Africa.

&quot;The absolute number of adult females affected by this practice was a shock to me,&quot; Jay Graham, lead author of the study, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

&quot;I knew it would be large... but I didn&#39;t realise it would be that high,&quot; added Graham, who is professor at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University.

The daily practice causes musculoskeletal damage, soft tissue damage and can lead to early arthritis, Graham said.

People also have to contend with water-borne diseases like schistosomiasis, an infection caused by parasitic worms living in fresh water, he said.

Across all 24 countries examined, including Sierra Leone, Malawi and Niger, more girls were tasked with water collection than boys. Women were also the primary water collector in all countries.

Children are pulled out of school for the daily task, and many women cannot earn an income because of the time and energy it takes to collect water, Graham said.

Since they often need to walk long distances to find water, women and children are also at a higher risk of sexual abuse, he added.

In a statement issued last month, the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone said drought was putting even more pressure on children to find water.

&quot;Children, particularly girls, are out in the street very late at night or as early as 4a.m. in search of water,&quot; the statement read.

&quot;This heightens their vulnerability and contributes to increase in teenage pregnancy, child labour, high rates of school drop outs, and poor school performance,&quot; it said.

Demand for water is expected to increase by 2050 as the world&#39;s population is forecast to grow by one-third to more than 9 billion, according to the United Nations.

As climate change strengthens, drought is becoming more frequent and severe in southern Africa, and that &ndash; combined with this year&#39;s El Nino phenomenon &ndash; is taking a heavy toll on rural lives and economies.

&quot;With climate change, it&#39;s going to be more of an uphill battle,&quot; said Graham. &quot;If there&#39;s focused attention on it and resources, we can improve upon the situation but I do think it&#39;s going to become more difficult.&quot;

But it also crucial to address gender inequality and to recognise the unpaid labour that women do across the globe, he said, which he believes is the underlying issue.

&quot;There is a need to address cultural values and really shifting the belief that women and men are equal too.&quot;

Many have to travel real far to collect water, thus exposing them to the risk of being sexually abused. And there is the added threat of a water-borne disease and other ailments.

At least 17 million women and girls in Africa collect water every day, which increases their risk of sexual abuse, disease and dropping out of school, a study published recently has found. It is one of the first studies to calculate how many women and children were responsible for water collection in Africa, the researchers said. Using datasets from the World Bank, the UN children's agency UNICEF, and the US Agency for International Development, researchers found that around 3 million children and 14 million women collect water in sub-Saharan Africa. "The absolute number of adult females affected by this practice was a shock to me," Jay Graham, lead author of the study, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "I knew it would be large... but I didn't realise it would be that high," added Graham, who is professor at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University. The daily practice causes musculoskeletal damage, soft tissue damage and can lead to early arthritis, Graham said. People also have to contend with water-borne diseases like schistosomiasis, an infection caused by parasitic worms living in fresh water, he said. Across all 24 countries examined, including Sierra Leone, Malawi and Niger, more girls were tasked with water collection than boys. Women were also the primary water collector in all countries. Children are pulled out of school for the daily task, and many women cannot earn an income because of the time and energy it takes to collect water, Graham said. Since they often need to walk long distances to find water, women and children are also at a higher risk of sexual abuse, he added. In a statement issued last month, the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone said drought was putting even more pressure on children to find water. "Children, particularly girls, are out in the street very late at night or as early as 4a.m. in search of water," the statement read. "This heightens their vulnerability and contributes to increase in teenage pregnancy, child labour, high rates of school drop outs, and poor school performance," it said. Demand for water is expected to increase by 2050 as the world's population is forecast to grow by one-third to more than 9 billion, according to the United Nations. As climate change strengthens, drought is becoming more frequent and severe in southern Africa, and that – combined with this year's El Nino phenomenon – is taking a heavy toll on rural lives and economies. "With climate change, it's going to be more of an uphill battle," said Graham. "If there's focused attention on it and resources, we can improve upon the situation but I do think it's going to become more difficult." But it also crucial to address gender inequality and to recognise the unpaid labour that women do across the globe, he said, which he believes is the underlying issue. "There is a need to address cultural values and really shifting the belief that women and men are equal too."

The risks more than 17 million African women and girls have to take to fetch water

Thousands of evacuees who fled a massive wildfire in the Canadian oil hub of Fort McMurray are set to return home today, though concerns ranging from contaminated drinking water to insurance claims linger as the city seeks to rebuild.

More than 80,000 residents were ordered to leave when the wildfire surged into the area four weeks ago, and officials expect the remote northern Alberta city to absorb roughly 14,000 to 15,000 residents as a re-entry plan spanning two weeks gets underway today.

The blaze was a devastating blow to a community already reeling from a two-year slump in global crude prices. It shuttered more than a million barrels per day of crude production, though some facilities had started to resume operations.

&quot;We are not going to stay, we&#39;ll go back and maybe remove some items,&quot; said Brenda Waterman, her face anxious over the unknown extent of fire damage to her home and chemical containments. &quot;I&#39;ve never experienced anything like this before, it&#39;s like a dream.&quot;

John Smith, 77, and his wife, Joyce, were bracing for heavy traffic on the main highway leading into the city, as well as what may lie ahead.

&quot;We didn&#39;t even have time to empty the garbage,&quot; he said. &quot;I&#39;m going in first with a flashlight and wearing a mask, and one of us will open the doors and windows and flush the house out.&quot;

Authorities have assembled extra police and emergency officials, and are urging travelers to remain patient and orderly as they grapple with traffic-snarled roads and hobbled infrastructure.

Grocery stores and pharmacies among other local businesses were poised to re-open with reduced stocks, and power and gas has been restored to a majority of structures in the areas awaiting returnees.

About 10 percent of the city&#39;s homes were destroyed by the blaze, which has blackened more than 580,000 hectares (2,239 square miles).

Even so, some 2,000 residents who had expected to return this week were ordered to hold off because of the risks posed by debris and contaminants including &quot;caustic&quot; ash.&nbsp;

Authorities have also issued a boil-water advisory and advised returnees to carry with them at least two weeks&#39; worth of food, water and prescription medication. Deteriorating air quality could force officials to suddenly change re-entry change plans.

Other challenges include limited medical services and labyrinthine insurance claims, as well as wildlife that has been scavenging the desolate neighborhoods for food.&nbsp;

&quot;It won&#39;t really hit you until you walk into it,&quot; said Adam Tucker, a 50-year-old oil sands worker, as he prepared to drive home.

Evacuees who fled the massive wildfire in the Canadian oil hub of Fort McMurray begin to return home, but worry about water contamination and insurance claims

Thousands of evacuees who fled a massive wildfire in the Canadian oil hub of Fort McMurray are set to return home today, though concerns ranging from contaminated drinking water to insurance claims linger as the city seeks to rebuild. More than 80,000 residents were ordered to leave when the wildfire surged into the area four weeks ago, and officials expect the remote northern Alberta city to absorb roughly 14,000 to 15,000 residents as a re-entry plan spanning two weeks gets underway today. The blaze was a devastating blow to a community already reeling from a two-year slump in global crude prices. It shuttered more than a million barrels per day of crude production, though some facilities had started to resume operations. "We are not going to stay, we'll go back and maybe remove some items," said Brenda Waterman, her face anxious over the unknown extent of fire damage to her home and chemical containments. "I've never experienced anything like this before, it's like a dream." John Smith, 77, and his wife, Joyce, were bracing for heavy traffic on the main highway leading into the city, as well as what may lie ahead. "We didn't even have time to empty the garbage," he said. "I'm going in first with a flashlight and wearing a mask, and one of us will open the doors and windows and flush the house out." Authorities have assembled extra police and emergency officials, and are urging travelers to remain patient and orderly as they grapple with traffic-snarled roads and hobbled infrastructure. Grocery stores and pharmacies among other local businesses were poised to re-open with reduced stocks, and power and gas has been restored to a majority of structures in the areas awaiting returnees. About 10 percent of the city's homes were destroyed by the blaze, which has blackened more than 580,000 hectares (2,239 square miles). Even so, some 2,000 residents who had expected to return this week were ordered to hold off because of the risks posed by debris and contaminants including "caustic" ash. Authorities have also issued a boil-water advisory and advised returnees to carry with them at least two weeks' worth of food, water and prescription medication. Deteriorating air quality could force officials to suddenly change re-entry change plans. Other challenges include limited medical services and labyrinthine insurance claims, as well as wildlife that has been scavenging the desolate neighborhoods for food. "It won't really hit you until you walk into it," said Adam Tucker, a 50-year-old oil sands worker, as he prepared to drive home.

Trepidation lingers as Canada wildfire evacuees begin to return home

A crocodile in Australia snatched a woman taking a late-night swim in a national park and is believed to have killed her, media reported on Monday. 
 
The 46-year-old woman was swimming with a friend late on Sunday in waist-deep water at a beach in Queensland state when she disappeared, police said. 
 
&quot;They felt a nudge, and a large crocodile is alleged to have grabbed one of the ladies and pulled her into the water,&quot; Neil Noble, a supervisor for the Queensland state ambulance service, told reporters. 
 
Police would only say the woman was believed to have been taken by a crocodile. Media reported that the friend struggled to pull the woman back from the crocodile`s jaws. 
 
Police did not identify the woman or give her nationality but said she lives in Australia and has family in New Zealand. 
A police spokesman told Reuters a search and rescue operation would continue on Tuesday. 
 
Warren Entsch, the area`s member of parliament, said the incident occurred in a place that is popular with crocodile-spotting tours, with many warning signs. 
 
The incident should not encourage reprisals against the animals, he said. 
 
&quot;You can`t legislate against human stupidity,&quot; Entsch told reporters. &quot;This is a tragedy but it was avoidable. There are warning signs everywhere up there.&quot;

A crocodile in Australia snatched a woman taking a late-night swim in a national park and is believed to have killed her, media reported on Monday. The 46-year-old woman was swimming with a friend late on Sunday in waist-deep water at a beach in Queensland state when she disappeared, police said.

A crocodile in Australia snatched a woman taking a late-night swim in a national park and is believed to have killed her, media reported on Monday. The 46-year-old woman was swimming with a friend late on Sunday in waist-deep water at a beach in Queensland state when she disappeared, police said. "They felt a nudge, and a large crocodile is alleged to have grabbed one of the ladies and pulled her into the water," Neil Noble, a supervisor for the Queensland state ambulance service, told reporters. Police would only say the woman was believed to have been taken by a crocodile. Media reported that the friend struggled to pull the woman back from the crocodile`s jaws. Police did not identify the woman or give her nationality but said she lives in Australia and has family in New Zealand. A police spokesman told Reuters a search and rescue operation would continue on Tuesday. Warren Entsch, the area`s member of parliament, said the incident occurred in a place that is popular with crocodile-spotting tours, with many warning signs. The incident should not encourage reprisals against the animals, he said. "You can`t legislate against human stupidity," Entsch told reporters. "This is a tragedy but it was avoidable. There are warning signs everywhere up there."

Crocodile attacked woman taking late-night swim in Australia

water

Water, News on Water, stories on Water, articles on Water, Water stories at Wion, Water news, Water latest news