A recent study on the Himalayan mountain range showed that the growing effects of climate change and deforestation could lead to a water crisis in Nepal. The country may not see the effects for several decades.
Read more here: Climate change putting Nepal at water crisis risk
El Nino is to blame for low rainfall and a shortened rainy season in Vietnam. The water level in the Dau Tieng Reservoir is much lower as a result. Experts warn that 10 million people will be affected if fresh water resources are reduced or shut off. Resources will be prioritized for tap water services first, then aquatic farms, meaning crop farmers (such as rice) to identify other alternatives during the water crisis.
Read more here: Water crisis looms as short monsoon, El Nino hit southern reservoir
Women and girls are less likely to have access to education due to the global water crisis. Twenty-three countries have less than 85 girls in school to every 100 boys. In these countries, women and girls are responsible for finding water, spending up to nine times as many hours as men collecting water from streams, ponds or local wells. Very often, the collected water is not potable, leading to illness and disease.
At U.N. week events, water access is a critical component of its Sustainable Development Goals.
Read more here: Why The Global Water Crisis Is A Gender Rights Issue
Despite heavy rainfall and an intense wet season, Mexico City is undergoing a water crisis. The city’s water infrastructure is in dire need of repair. Nearly 30 percent of residences in Mexico City lack access to safe water. In poor neighborhoods, indoor plumbing typically means dirty water flowing from the taps. Residents in these areas are often forced to get water from mobile trucks or purchase expensive purified water.
Read more here: Going local to solve Mexico City’s water crisis
A water shortage in the Indian city of Chennai has affected the water supply to local hospitals, forcing doctors to delay patient care and, in some cases, postpone surgeries. These hospitals rely on the city to supply water. But, with the region in the midst of a severe water crisis, the water supply is minimal and, in some areas, has been halted for two to three days.
Read more here: Water Shortage Forces Hospitals to Postpone Surgeries
San Diego’s three major universities are sharing important lessons from the California water crisis. San Diego State University, UC-San Diego and the University of San Diego are promoting water conservation across campus. The schools have been honored for their eco-friendly efforts, including the installation of low-flow sinks and toilets, waterless urinals and water-efficient sprinklers.
Read more here: Water-saving lessons from San Diego universities
Boreholes in the Namibian village of Okankolo are drying up. The country’s primary source of water, boreholes are supplied by rainwater, something the country has had in limited supply over the last few years. Boreholes supply 75 percent of the community with water. The other 25 percent have access to clean potable water.
The community has been relying on water tankers to deliver water, but truck repairs have delayed delivery.
Read more here: Water crisis worsens at Okankolo
Current global water usage is unsustainable. Recent studies show that 70% of the world’s fresh water is being used for agriculture, while many countries – including the U.S. – are using 40% for energy production. How much is left for drinking water?
Water usage and allocation has become a hot-button issue. What can be done to avoid a water crisis globally?
Read more here: Water shortage is one of the top global risks, how can we avert it?
In Pakistan, 1,200 deaths this summer resulted from a lack of access to fresh water. A population boom and industry that requires massive amounts of water have exacerbated the problem. Pakistan is in the midst of a water crisis.
Read more here: The ‘water mafias’ that suck Karachi dry
The sharp seven-fold growth of the population of the Earth in the twentieth century has created one of the gravest global problems of present – the lack of fresh water, the source of all life.
Around the world, 748 million people lack access to a clean drinking water source, while billions more lack drinking water that barely meet safety standards, according to a UN report released in 2015.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) forecasts that more than 4 billion people will be living under serious water shortages by the mid-2030.
Read more here: Central Asia to experience water crisis in 35 years
