The Stream, June 17: Floods Cost Nepal More Than $230 Million Each Year

Floods
Flooding in Nepal costs the country approximately $US 232 million each year when taking into account damages to both infrastructure and health, according to a new study by Nepal’s government and the Climate Development Knowledge Network, the Guardian reported. There is evidence that the intensity and frequency of floods in Nepal are increasing, with 12 large floods occurring in the last 40 years.

Inadequate funding for flood defense programs will only lead to more destruction like that experienced last winter in England, says a report from members of parliament, the Guardian reported. The report argues that the current budget does not take into account increased flood risks due to climate change.

Water Supply
Saudi Arabia’s demand for water and electricity has increased 8 percent each of the last several years, and the country will need to spend more than $US 200 billion in the next 10 years to keep up with demand, according to the country’s deputy electricity minister, The New York Times reported. Much of the fresh water in Saudi Arabia comes from desalination plants, which also consume large quantities of electricity.

Pollution
A new map of global livestock concentrations could help researchers pinpoint potential areas of concern for agricultural pollution and disease outbreaks, Co.Exist reported. The map, created by the International Livestock Research Institute and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), shows the type and density of livestock down to a resolution of one square kilometer.

A number of water treatment utilities in Iowa, including the water treatment plant in Des Moines, are dumping the nitrates they remove from drinking water back into rivers, the Des Moines Register reported. The practices is legal, and the Des Moines nitrate removal plant—the largest such facility in the world—released approximately 6,120 kilograms of nitrate back into its source river last year.

The Stream is a daily digest spotting global water trends. To get more water news, follow Circle of Blue on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.

Codi Kozacek

A news correspondent for Circle of Blue based out of Hawaii. She writes The Stream, Circle of Blue’s daily digest of international water news trends. Her interests include food security, ecology and the Great Lakes.
Contact Codi Kozacek