Odisha's Puri becomes first city in the country to have safe water under Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban)

Odisha’s Puri first city in the country to provide safe drinking water while

Puri in Odisha becomes first in the country to have city-wide safe drinking tap water. After this achievement, the State Government is moving ahead to provide safe drinking tap water supplies in 16 more towns including Cuttack, Rourkela and Berhampur.

To provide clean drinking water to the local residents of Puri, the state government has dedicated the ‘Sujal-Drink From Tap Mission’. The mission was launched in October 2020 to ensure quality tapped drinking water to more than 1.5 million people in more than 15 urban areas in the state. By March 2022, the State Government has planned to cover all urban areas of Odisha.

(Livemint)

India’s rainfall deficiency reduced to 17.6 percent from 46 percent, thanks to July rainfall

The data from the India Meteorological Department has revealed that the recent rain in parts of the country has reduced the rainfall deficiency to 17.6 percent from 46 percent around June 10. The region-wise statistics of the weather department shows that rainfall deficiencies for July in central India were still 28 percent, in east and northeast India 32 percent and in northwest India 22 percent, however, the South peninsular India received 39 percent excess rain in July.

According to a report by the Central Water Commission (CWC), the ongoing rainfall has resulted in severe flood situation in 15 river sites in the country, while 19 were flowing in above-normal flood situation. (The Times of India)

Incessant rains cause floods in Maharashtra, death toll rises to 192

Torrential rains in Maharashtra in the last few days have led to floods in the state. As of 27 July 2021, the death toll because of floods in the state is 192 with 95 casualties in Raigad district alone. 3.7 lakh people, mostly from Sangli district have been evacuated. The heavy rains have triggered landslides mainly in Konkan and western Maharashtra resulting in widespread devastation. While the rain water has receded in the state and rescue operations are being carried out, the Panchganga and Krishna rivers in Western Maharashtra remain over the danger mark. As per IMD, Konkan, Goa and the ghat areas of central Maharashtra will continue to receive widespread rain over the next few days. (The Times of India)

Gurugram administration arrests 1,146 MLD of rainwater in Aravallis

In a heavy spell of two days, the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) could retain 1,146 million litres per day (MLD) of water in the Aravalli region. On 18 and 19 July, the city received 185 mm of rainfall according to the India Meteorological Department.

The district administration had created check dams which ensured that the rainwater does not run off in the stormwater drains and is arrested in the forests itself. The initiative not only helped harvest 1,146 MLD of rainwater, which is equivalent to a four to five-day water supply for the entire city but also helped tackle water logging in some parts of the city.

(Hindustan Times)

Chennai civic body clears up 6,189 MT waste from water bodies

As part of its mass cleaning drive ahead of the monsoon season, the Chennai Corporation has so far removed nearly 6,189 million tonnes of water hyacinth from 30 water bodies in the city. While robotic excavators were used to clean the Mambalam canal, the Adyar river near Manapakkam was cleaned by engaging amphibians along with the robotic excavators. The stormwater drain department of the Corporation have taken up the task which covers 48.4 km drains and canals in the city. Besides cleaning of water bodies, the Corporation is also taking up dengue control measures along with beach cleaning. (The New Indian Express)

This is a roundup of important news published from July 11-26, 2021. Also read policy matters this fortnight.