Over 97 million Indians were currently being exposed to extreme floods: Report

75 percent districts in India are hotspots of extreme climate events: Report

According to a new report, titled 'Preparing India for Extreme Climate Events: Mapping Hotspots and Response Mechanisms', by Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW),

over 97 million people in the country were currently being exposed to extreme floods, 258 districts have been affected by cyclones during the past decade and the yearly average of drought-affected districts have risen 13 times since 2005. Changing land-use patterns, unsustainable urbanisation and the encroachment of the natural ecosystem are being blamed for change in the climatic pattern in the country, which is causing extreme weather and environmental events.

Developing an integrated emergency surveillance system and providing budgetary cushion to the disaster management authorities are the two ways for developing climate resilience. (Business Standard)

Climate disasters will force over 4.5 crore people in India to migrate by 2050: Report

According to a new report titled, ‘Costs of climate inaction: displacement and distress migration’, over 4.5 crore people will be forced to migrate from their homes in India by 2050 due to climate disasters including floods, droughts and cyclones. The study is conducted by international agencies ActionAid International and Climate Action Network South Asia and assessed climate-fuelled displacement and migration across five South Asian countries -- Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The report called for strong leadership and ambition from developed countries to cut emissions and support for developing countries to adapt to climate change and recover from climate disasters. (The New Indian Express)

Digital water management solutions to help Koppal district fight water scarcity

As part of a multi-village clean drinking water scheme, a project led by L&T Construction Water & Effluent Treatment IC for Karnataka government will help the local water authority to track, measure and optimize water use through ABB’s end-to-end solutions. The solution includes 635 digital flowmeters and technologies to improve control at pumping stations and reservoirs.

The district which is regularly challenged by water shortages used several traditional water conservation practices to combat its water crisis, but this time the focus is on effectively monitoring the water flow and managing leaks to reduce non-revenue water and achieve overall productivity improvement.

(WaterWorld)

Jal Shakti Minister orders Telangana to stop works on seven irrigation projects

Jal Shakti Minister has asked Telangana Chief Minister not to take up construction of seven irrigation projects on which Andhra Pradesh has objections, unless and until the mandatory appraisal is done by Godavari River Management Board (GRMB), Central Water Commission (CWC) and the Apex Council. The decision is in reply to Telangana’s letter outlining various issues pertaining to sharing and utilisation of waters in Krishna and Godavari rivers. As per the ministry, any irrigation and/or multipurpose project, whether mentioned or not in Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-I and/or APRA-2014 unless techno-economically appraised should be considered as a new project for the purpose of the appraisal. (Deccan Chronicle)

Government to measure the depth of Himalayan glaciers

The Ministry of Earth Sciences is planning to measure the depth of glaciers in the region to assess their volume and gauge the water available in them. The project will start next summer and will be executed by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR). The aim of the study is to understand the volume of the glaciers, the availability of water and whether the glaciers are increasing or shrinking. The plan is to first study seven glaciers in the Chandra river basin using radar technology. Once successful, subsequent studies would be carried out in the rest of the Himalayas. (Livemint)

This is a roundup of important news published between December 10 - 21, 2020. Also, read policy matters this week.