The Stream, December 28: Ninety Percent of Chile’s Slum Households Lack Potable Water

The Global Rundown

The number of slums in Chile increases, and most of the communities are without water or sewage services. Ninety percent of Karnataka, India, is facing drought conditions after three years of scarce rainfall. An extreme heatwave grips Australia, with temperatures up to 49 °C (120 °F) forecast. Low rainfall cuts soybean yields in Brazil and hampers corn and soy planting in South Africa.

“The probability of a repeat of the 2016 drought is increasing daily. Some of the scenarios we are facing look even grimmer than the previous drought.” –Jannie de Villiers, the chief executive officer of Grain SA, in reference to ongoing dry conditions in South Africa. Farmers planted minimal corn and soybean crops this season in the country’s western growing areas due to drought. Bloomberg / Quint

Latest WaterNews from Circle of Blue

The Year in Water, 2018 — Pollution, scarcity, and a changing climate remain top risks.

U.S. Year-In-Review, 2018 — Regulators, politicians forced to confront the consequences of environmental change.

By The Numbers

10 °C to 14 °C (50 °F to 57 °F) Amount that temperatures in southern Australia are above-average, according to the country’s weather bureau. An intense heatwave is gripping the already-dry country, with temperatures as high as 49 °C (120 °F) expected in some areas. The Guardian

90 percent Proportion of talukas (sub-districts) in the state of Karnataka, India, that are experiencing drought, according to a government declaration on Wednesday. Karnataka is experiencing its third consecutive year of drought. The News Minute

Science, Studies, And Reports

The number of slums in Chile has doubled in recent years, according to the Chilean Housing Ministry, which identified a total of 46,423 households across 822 slums. The ministry noted that only 10 percent of slum households had access to potable water, and most lacked a method of sewage disposal. The number of low-income communities is on the rise due to an influx of migrants from neighboring countries. Reuters

On The Radar

Farmers in Mato Grosso, Brazil, say that low rainfall and high temperatures will reduce soybean yields across the state. Some cropland has endured 20 days of drought just as harvests are set to begin. Reuters

Kayla Ritter

Kayla Ritter is a recent graduate of Michigan State University, where she studied International Relations and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. She is currently based in Manton, Michigan. Kayla enjoys running, writing, and traveling. Contact Kayla Ritter