The Stream, May 30: Bangladesh Braces For More Floods As Cyclone Approaches

The Global Rundown

Flooding and storm surge from Cyclone Mora could devastate coastal areas of Bangladesh, which is still recovering from April’s widespread floods. In Sri Lanka, floods are raising the risk of waterborne disease outbreaks. Thousands of people in Mosul, Iraq face limited access to water, food, and medicine, according to the United Nations. Perth, Australia plans to double the amount of recycled water it uses to recharge drinking water aquifers. The government of New Zealand will set aside millions of dollars to protect Wellington’s water supply from earthquakes. A new technology could drastically increase the amount of water recovered from hydraulic fracturing brines.

“The threat of waterborne diseases is a big concern with over 100,000 people displaced from their homes, many of whom are staying in damp, crowded conditions.” –Chris McIvor, head of Save the Children Sri Lanka, expressing concern that heavy rainfall and floods in the country could lead to outbreaks of dengue and other illnesses. (Reuters)

By The Numbers

200,000 people Number still living in areas of Mosul, Iraq that are controlled by the Islamic State. They face a lack of water, food, and medicine, according to United Nations officials. Reuters

28 gigaliters Amount of recycled water that will be pumped each year into the aquifers that supply drinking water to Perth, Australia, doubling the current amount of recycled groundwater replenishment. Guardian

$6 million Estimated amount New Zealand’s government will allocate to protect water supplies in Wellington, the capital, from the threat of earthquakes. Stuff

Science, Studies, And Reports

A new type of membrane technology could help recover nearly all of the water contained in extremely salty brines, such as those produced during hydraulic fracturing, according to researchers at the University of California, Riverside. The disposal of large quantities of brine by injecting the wastewater underground has raised concerns about earthquakes in some areas, including Oklahoma. Science Daily

In context: California water board to investigate use of oilfield wastewater to irrigate crops.

On The Radar

The storm surge from approaching Cyclone Mora could reach 1.5 meters above normal in some coastal areas of Bangladesh, prompting officials to issue the highest level storm warning. The storm could put more pressure on the country’s resources as it recovers from widespread flooding that occurred in April. Reuters