The Stream, July 18: Floods Wreaking Havoc in Asia, Water Deficits Almost Everywhere Else

The Global Rundown

Flooding in parts of China and India is leading to widespread evacuation and property destruction. South Sudan is expecting an injection of water infrastructure capital from a major financial institution. Data suggests that much of the world will register water deficits over the next several months. Pakistan is cracking down on a criminal element springing up during its drought. In the United States, researchers are struggling to predict how agricultural management practices will effect vital water systems.

“This is a state, country, and global issue. We’re at the cutting edge of many of these studies right now. A lot of this is going to inform what a lot of people do throughout the country.” — Chris Winslow, interim director of Ohio State University’s Stone Laboratory, on nutrient pollution. Countless tons of phosphorus, a nutrient contained in fertilizer, manure, and sewage, are continually washed into waterways around the world. There it can cause environmental disasters, like toxic algae blooms. Circle of Blue 

By The Numbers

200mm Amount of rain that triggered flooding and landslides in southern China over the weekend. Despite deploying several hundred soldiers to assist the citizenry, more than 240,000 people were affected when property was damaged, tunnels were blocked and dikes were breached. Heavy rains in that region are expected to continue. South China Morning Post 

$6.5 million Cost of an African Development Bank grant which is expected to benefit 230,000 South Sudanese citizens in the country’s capital of Juba. Funds will improve water supply infrastructure and make utility operations more efficient. The grant comes at a time of increased violence between the city’s rival factions. CPI Financial 

50 Number of villages already flooded in Bihar as the Kosi River continues to rise. Hundreds more villages are currently being threatened in what officials of the eastern Indian state are calling the worst flood in 50 years. Authorities are urging residents to remain calm, even as the state government mobilizes additional engineers in case the river continues to swell. First Post 

Science, Studies, And Reports

With the exception of East Asia, Central Asia and Russia, most regions around the planet are predicted to experience water deficits in the coming months, according to the ISciences Worldwide Water Watch List July 2016. The watch list also indicates much of South America, the Middle East, and Africa will experience “exceptional deficits.” Southeast China, one of the few places expected to see a surplus, should gradually move into a deficit later in the year. ISciences 

On The Radar

The Karachi Water and Sewerage Board has taken up the offensive against the growing water “mafia” operating in Pakistan’s largest city. Backed by police escorts, the agency’s teams are disconnecting illegal fire hydrants and water connections. The KWSB is also levying heavy fines against those responsible for diverting public water for private sale while the region is gripped in ongoing drought. The International News