The Stream, October 18: Floods and Water-logging Persistently Plague Bangladesh

Floods
Man-made embankments meant to divide land and keep rivers from encroaching on farm fields in Bangladesh are trapping flood waters and leading to water-logged fields, IRIN News reported. While some farmers have turned to shrimp farming, scientists are recommending that restoring rivers and wetlands would be a better way to deal with the flooding problem.

The economy of Mexico’s Acapulco has taken a hard hit from flooding caused by several tropical storms, with many hotels in the tourism-dependent city nearly empty, Reuters reported. The city has been in decline since gang violence began deterring many tourists.

Infrastructure
New York City’s massive Tunnel 3 water project is now able to supply Manhattan with water after decades of work , The New York Times reported. The tunnel is meant to replace the old water supply line, and has cost the city $US 4.7 billion to date.

In California, large infrastructure projects like dams and water diversions have helped build cities and agricultural centers in the past, but it may be time to turn to “ecologically-based” solutions to water scarcity, according to Stephanie Castle of the UC Center for Hydrologic Modeling. Her post for National Geographic reflects on World Water Week 2013.

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