A whopping $215 billion is lost to floods each year
As per the World Resources Institute’s global flood analyzer, floods in South Asia will cost as much as $215 billion each year by 2030. This year, nearly 1200 people have lost their lives to floods in Bihar, Assam, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Dhaka, Karachi and Nepal. The devastating floods, which are expected to increase in the coming decades, are already affecting more than 9.5 million people in the region each year, with GDP worth $14.4 billion and $5.4 billion at risk in India and Bangladesh, respectively.
Over 200 districts in the country to face drought
According to the data revealed by the India Meteorological Department, 235 districts across the country face the prospect of drought this year. So far this year, the monsoon has shown a below normal performance which has led to a shortfall of rain in at least 37 percent of India's 630 districts. With the UP, Haryana and MP being the hardest hit states, the rainfall deficit is estimated to be 31, 28 and 25 percent, respectively. However, IMD believes that the second half of September could bring better rains in central India.
Delhi prepares Rs 300-crore plan to tackle its waste
The Delhi government has prepared a plan worth Rs 300 crore for the improvement in its solid waste management which has been approved by the central government. Under the plan, the north, south and east municipal corporations would spend Rs 100 crore each for procuring machines for collection, transport and storage of solid waste. Along with this, the corporations would also procure decentralised treatment plants and special machines for the upkeep of drains and sewers.
Telangana requests Andhra to release 17.5 tmcft of Krishna water
Following the release of 2 tmcft water by Andhra Pradesh to Telangana on the instruction of the Krishna River Management Board, the latter has requested to release another 17.5 tmcft of Krishna river water for catering to the drinking water needs of Greater Hyderabad and Nalgonda districts. Given the complexity in convincing the Andhra government to release water, Telangana is exploring options to present a strong case in front of the Centre on the riparian issues that it faces.
No progress in stormwater drain project in Bengaluru
Despite an expenditure of a whopping Rs 1,367 crore since 2006, only 177 kilometres of the 842-kilometre stretch of stormwater drains have been completed in Bengaluru. Haphazard work of stormwater drains is being considered as one of the reasons for the flash floods in the city, as they are either encroached upon or stuffed with garbage leading to the reverse flow of water and water-logging in the nearby areas. As per the officials, the huge gap between the target and the actual construction work is due to the time-consuming research and elaborate tender process, along with land acquisition problems.
This is a roundup of important news from September 12 - 19, 2017. Also, read the policy matters this week.